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HSE Emergency Management Area

2 Emergency Plan

(Covering Geographical Areas of Counties

Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.)

January 2020 Version Version 3 January 2020

Approval Date 20th January 2020

Review Date January 2021

Area Crisis Management

Team (CMT) Action Card

Please note Area 2 CMT Action Card Version 6

corresponds with this plan

COMMON PAGE

(In accordance with the Framework 2006 Guidance Document 21 a version of these

pages appear in the Major Emergency Plan of each Principal Response Agency

(PRA)). As a result, each PRA will make and receive two calls to and from the other

PRAs in relation to any Major Emergency notification)

Using the following Confidential, Dedicated Numbers:

NEOC

National Emergency Operations Centre

Emergency

Non-

Emergency

Ballyshannon/Tallaght 999/112 0818 724 112

Notify NEOC of the Declaration of the Major Emergency using the following message

format:

1 A Framework for Major Emergency Management, 2006 http://mem.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/A-Framework-For-Major-Emergency-Management.pdf

TO ACTIVATE THIS PLAN

Contact National Emergency Operations Centre

(NEOC) at

999/112

This is ……………….. (Name, rank and service) ……………..

A …...… (Type of incident) …...… has occurred/is imminent

at ………(Location) …….....................……

As an authorised officer I declare that a major emergency

exists. Please activate the mobilisation arrangements in the HSE AREA

West Major Emergency Plan.

TO ACTIVATE THIS PLAN

Contact National Emergency Operations Centre

(NEOC) at

999/112

After the Declaration is made, the notifying officer should then use the mnemonic

METHANE to structure and deliver an information message (as follows)

Where the initial declaration of the Major Emergency is made by the HSE, the NEOC

Controller on duty, as part of pre-set actions, will notify the other two PRAs of the

declaration and provide information as available. Contact may be made via the

following numbers:

If these numbers are not answered use 999/112 as an alternative.

When NEOC receives notification of a Major Emergency from either of the other PRAs,

the NEOC Controller on duty, as part of pre-set actions, will confirm to the other two

PRAs that the HSE is aware of the Major Emergency. The purpose of this crosscheck

is to confirm that PRAs are mutually aware that a major emergency has been

declared. It also ensures that the notification/confirmation has come from an

authorized officer. The appropriate Local Authority Control Centre will prepare and

circulate, by group-fax and group E-mail, a written version of the METHANE message

(Framework Guidance Document 22)

2 ibid

Fire Service/Local Authorities DEDICATED

MEM LINE

Back up

Number

Western Regional Control Centre 094 9034747 094 9034708

Garda Div. HQ at: Telephone

Number

Back up

Number

Mayo 094 9038200 094 9038249

Roscommon/Longford 090 6638300 090 6638301

Western Regional HQ Galway 091 337140/1 091 337212

M Major Emergency Declared

E Exact Location of the emergency

T Type of Emergency (Transport, Chemical, etc.)

H Hazards, present and potential

A Access/egress routes

N Number and types of Casualties

E Emergency services present and required

Contents

Page

Section 1 Introduction to the Plan............................................................. 1

1.1 Foreword ..................................................................................... 1

1.2 The Framework............................................................................ 2

1.3 Objectives of Area 2 Plan............................................................. 2

1.4 Scope of the Major Emergency Plan........................................... 2

1.5 Relationship to other plans........................................................... 3

1.6 Language, Terminology & Definition of a Major Emergency....... 3

1.7 Distribution.................................................................................... 4

1.8 Public Access to Plan.................................................................... 4

Section 2 The Principal Response Agency and its Functional Area...... 5

2.1 The HSE........................................................................................ 5

2.1.1 Functions of the HSE.................................................................... 5

2.2 Boundaries and Characteristics of the Area................................. 8

Section 3 Risk Assessments for the Region............................................. 9

Section 4 HSE Resources for Major Emergency Response.................... 10

4.1 Internal HSE Resources................................................................. 10

4.1.1 Area 2 Crisis Management Team (CMT)....................................... 10

4.1.2 National Ambulance Service (NAS)............................................... 10

4.1.3 Acute Hospital Division................................................................... 11

4.1.4 Community Health Care organisations (CHOs)............................. 11

4.1.5 Public Health................................................................................... 12

4.1.6 Psycho – Social Support................................................................. 12

4.1.7 Environmental Health…………………………………….................. 12

4.1.8 Emergency Management Office..................................................... 13

4.1.9 Communications.............................................................................. 13

4.1.10 Support Functions............................................................................ 14

4.2 External Resources.......................................................................... 14

4.3 Regional Interagency Level Response............................................. 14

Section 5 Preparedness for Major Emergency Response.......................... 16

5.1 This Plan........................................................................................... 16

5.2 Structures.......................................................................................... 16

5.2.1 National............................................................................................. 16

5.2.2 Area 2 Emergency Planning Group.................................................. 16

5.2.3 Local, Site & Service......................................................................... 16

5.3 Service and Business Plans.............................................................. 17

5.4 Preparedness.................................................................................... 17

5.5 Responsibility for Major Emergency Development Process............ 17

5.6 Key Roles.......................................................................................... 17

5.7 Support for Key Roles....................................................................... 18

5.8 Linking the Major Emergency Plan with other Emergency Plans ... 18

5.9 Staff Development, Training and Exercise Programme.................. 19

5.9.1 Training............................................................................................. 19

5.9.2 Exercises.......................................................................................... 19

5.10 Major Emergency Preparedness Appraisal...................................... 19

Section 6 The Command, Control and Co-ordination System................... 20

6.1 HSE Crisis Management Teams CMT(s) Structure......................... 20

6.1.1 Area 2 CMT....................................................................................... 20

6.2 CMT Members and their Respective Functions................................ 21

6.2.1 Area 2 CMT Membership................................................................... 21

6.2.2 Chairperson ....................................................................................... 21

6.2.3 NAS Area Operations Manager or Alternate...................................... 22

6.2.4 Acute Hospital Divisions – Saolta University Healthcare Group........ 23

6.2.5 Community Healthcare West.............................................................. 23

6.2.6 Public Health West.............................................................................. 24

6.2.7 Psycho-Social Support........................................................................ 25

6.2.8 Environmental Health.......................................................................... 25

6.2.9 Regional Emergency Management Officer........................................ 26

6.2.10 HSE Communications Division........................................................... 27

6.2.11 Logistics Procurement Manager......................................................... 28

6.2.12 Human Resources.............................................................................. 28

6.2.13 Special Advisors to CMT(s)................................................................ 28

6.3 Control at the Site............................................................................... 28

6.3.1 HSE Controller of Operations............................................................. 29

Section 7 The Common Elements of Response............................................. 31

7.1 Declaring a Major Emergency............................................................ 32

7.1.2 HSE Activation & Authorised Officers................................................ 32

7.1.3 Garda / Local Authority Activation...................................................... 33

7.1.4 Other Activation.................................................................................. 33

7.1.5 Major Emergency arising at Hospital, CHO facility, Public Health Department

or other HSE facility............................................................................. 33

7.1.6 Response of the HSE to a Major Emergency..................................... 34

7.2 Initial Mobilisation................................................................................ 34

7.2.1 Process used to alert Area 2 CMT...................................................... 35

7.2.2 Activation Protocol Back Up................................................................ 35

7.2.3 Notification of others............................................................................ 36

7.3 Command, Control and Communication Centres............................... 36

7.4 Co-ordination Centres.......................................................................... 36

7.4.1 Interagency On-Site Coordination Centre............................................ 36

7.4.2 Area 2 CMT Meeting Point................................................................... 36

7.4.3 Local Interagency Coordination Centre................................................ 36

7.4.4 Regional Interagency Coordination Centre.......................................... 37

7.5 Communications Facilities.................................................................... 37

7.5.1 HSE Communications Systems........................................................... 37

7.5.2 Interagency Communication Centre On-Site....................................... 37

7.5.3 Communications between Site & Coordination Centres...................... 37

7.6 Exercising the Lead Agency’s Co-ordination Roles............................. 37

7.6.1 The Lead Agency................................................................................. 37

7.6.2 Review & Transfer of the Lead Agency............................................... 38

7.6.3 The HSE as Lead Agency.................................................................... 38

7.7 Public Information................................................................................. 39

7.7.1 Role of the HSE – Public Information................................................... 39

7.8 The Media.............................................................................................. 40

7.9 Site Management Arrangements........................................................... 40

7.9.1 Actions of First Officer attending........................................................... 40

7.9.2 General Site Arrangements................................................................... 41

7.9.3 Control of Access................................................................................... 42

7.9.4 Danger Area........................................................................................... 42

7.9.5 Identification........................................................................................... 42

7.9.6 Helicopters............................................................................................. 43

7.9.7 Air Exclusion Zone................................................................................. 43

7.10 Mobilising Additional Resources............................................................ 43

7.10.1 General.................................................................................................. 43

7.10.2 HSE Resources..................................................................................... 43

7.10.3 Defences Forces.................................................................................... 44

7.10.4 Links with the Voluntary Emergency Services (VES)........................... 44

7.10.5 Utilities................................................................................................... 45

7.10.6 National, International Assistance......................................................... 45

7.11 Casualty and Survivor Arrangements................................................... 45

7.11.1 General................................................................................................. 45

7.11.2 Casualties............................................................................................. 45

7.11.3 Fatalities................................................................................................ 46

7.11.4 Survivors............................................................................................... 46

7.11.5 Casualty Bureau................................................................................... 46

7.11.6 Friends & Relatives reception Centres................................................. 47

7.11.7 Non National Casualties....................................................................... 47

7.11.8 Pastoral & Psycho Social Care............................................................ 47

7.12 Emergencies involving Hazardous Materials....................................... 48

7.12.1 Lead Agency........................................................................................ 48

7.12.2 Suspect CBRN..................................................................................... 48

7.12.3 Biological Incidents.............................................................................. 48

7.12.4 Infectious Disease Outbreaks............................................................. 49

7.12.5 Nuclear Incidents................................................................................ 49

7.13 Protecting Threatened Populations..................................................... 49

7.14 Early and Public Warning Systems..................................................... 50

7.15 Emergencies arising on Inland Waterways......................................... 50

7.16 Safety, Health and Welfare Considerations........................................ 50

7.17 Logistical Issues/ Protracted Incidents................................................ 52

7.18 Investigations...................................................................................... 52

7.19 Community/ VIPs/ Observers.............................................................. 53

7.19.1 Community Links................................................................................. 53

7.19.2 Visiting VIPs........................................................................................ 53

7.19.3 National & International Observers..................................................... 53

7.20 Standing-Down the Major Emergency................................................ 53

7.20.1 Stand Down at Site.............................................................................. 53

7.20.2 Stand Down of HSE............................................................................. 54

7.20.3 Operational Debriefing & Reporting Activity......................................... 54

Section 8 Agency Specific Elements and Sub Plans...................................... 55

Section 9 Plan for regional Level Co-ordination............................................. 56

9.1 Introduction.......................................................................................... 56

9.2 Regional Response............................................................................. 56

9.2.1 Decision to Scale Up to a Regional Response.................................... 56

9.2.2 Response Region................................................................................ 56

9.2.3 Activation............................................................................................. 57

9.3 Command Control and Co-ordination of Response............................. 57

9.4 Wide Area Major Emergencies............................................................ 58

Section 10 Links with National Emergency Plans............................................. 60

Section 11 Severe Weather Plans........................................................................ 61

Section 12 Site and Event Specific Arrangements and Plans.......................... 62

Section 13 The Recovery Phase........................................................................... 63

Section 14 Review of this Plan............................................................................. 64

Section 15 Appendices

Appendix 15.1 HSE Mobilisation Procedure

Appendix 15.2 List of Major Emergency Plans

Appendix 15.3 HSE Area 2 Risk Assessment

Appendix 15.4 Map of the National Ambulance Service Stations and “Receiving” Hospitals

locations in Area 2

Appendix 15.5 Casualty Bureau and Role of the Coroner

Appendix 15.6 Marine and Off-shore incidents and Medico Cork

Appendix 15.7 Defence Forces Aide to Civil Authority (1 Brigade)


Appendix 15.9 Directory of Contacts

Appendix 15.10 Glossary of Terms and Acronyms

Appendix 15.11 West Interagency Media Communications Plan

List of Figures

Figure 4.1 Emergency Management Structures

Figure 7.1 Typical Site Management Arrangements

1

Section 1 Inroduction to the Plan

1.1 Foreward

Major Emergency Management (MEM) is a priority issue for all HSE services/functions in Area 2

(covering counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon). MEM is fundametally about ensuring that the

necessary planning, prepardness, capacity, training and coordination are in place at all levels of the

health service to enable the services to meet the challenges posed by such events. Given that it is not

possible to forsee all possible adverse events, an all hazards approach is taken, which is capable of

adaptation in the light of prevailing circumstances.

Area 2’s Major Emergency Plan (covering counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon) has developed in

accordance with the requirements set out in Section 4.4.1 of the National Framework for Major

Emergency Management (2006)3, and sets out mechanisms for coordination at all levels of Major

Emergency Management – on site, at local level and at regional level.

This plan is supported by a series of sub-plans covering, sites, services and departments. It is

designed to integrate with corresponding plans from the other Principal Response Agencies (PRAs) of

Local Authority and An Garda Síochana as well as with the emergency plans for specific sites

classified as upper tier sites under the Seveso (Control of Major Accidents Hazards) Regulations4.

Major Emergency Management arrangements build on current strengths, and make full use of the

core competencies and organistional strengths of the health services as the basis for the response.

The aim is to fit in with existing organisational and government structures, subject to appropriate co-

ordination mechanisms being added.

This plan aims to provide the service at all levels with an appropriate framework, skill base and the

tools necessary to respond to any emergency situation that may arise.

It is the responsibility of all employees to familiarise themselves with their roles and funtions as

described in the Area Plan and the more specific sub-plans that relate to their services.

Using a systems approach to Major Emergency Management that involves a continuous cycle of

activity, we will ensure that the HSE and our PRA partners are in a position to provide protection and

care of the public at times of vulnerability, through clear leadership, an early and coordinated

response, accountability and safe working, while maintaining the provision of essential services.

Signed:

Breda Crehan Roche Martin Greaney

Chair of HSE Area 2 Chair of HSE Area 2

3 Section 4.4.1, A Framework for Major Emergency Management, 2006 http://mem.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/A-

Framework-For-Major-Emergency-Management.pdf 4 Chemical Act (Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 209 2015)

https://www.hsa.ie/eng/Your_Industry/Chemicals/Legislation_Enforcement/COMAH/SI_209_of_2015.pdf

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Crisis Management Team Emergency Planning Group

1.2 The Framework for Major Emergency Management 2006

The Framework for Major Emergency Management 20065 outlines the structures and

processes followed by the Principal Response Agencies in managing a response to a Major

Emergency. The MEM Framework arises from a decision of Government. It is available on

the HSE Intranet

http://hsenet.hse.ie/Emergency_Management/Generic_Plans_for_Major_Emergencies/

or http://www.mem.ie together with other supporting guidelines, protocols and templates.

1.3 Objectives of Area 2 Plan

The objectives of this plan are:

To provide a system outlining the strategic delivery of a coordinated response when a Major Emergency has been declared as set out in Section 2.1.1 in the geographical area of Community Healthcare West for all HSE services/functions.

To ensure that the HSE has clear leadership in times of crisis and when responding to a Major Emergency.

To ensure an early and appropriate response with efficient operations co-coordinated with the other PRAs when responding to a Major Emergency.

To provide for the protection and care of the public at times of vulnerability when a Major Emergency has been declared.

To ensure the maintenance of HSE essential services during a Major Emergency Response.

To deliver a realistic and rational approach with transparent accountability when responding to a Major Emergency.

To put in place a process by which the recovery phase is addressed by the Area 2 CMT as early in a major emergency as possible.

1.4 Scope of this Major Emergency Plan This plan provides for a co-coordinated response to major emergencies beyond the normal

capabilities of the principal emergency services in the Geographical Area of Community

Healthcare West. These may arise from major transport accidents, fires, acts of terrorism,

severe weather and outbreaks of disease, spillage or release of hazardous substances.

The types of emergency that arise from fuel shortages, disruption of services or industrial

disputes are of another nature and are not catered for in this plan.

5 A Framework for Major Emergency Management, 2006 http://mem.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/A-Framework-For-

Major-Emergency-Management.pdf

http://hsenet.hse.ie/Emergency_Management/Generic_Plans_for_Major_Emergencies/

http://www.mem.ie/

3

This plan consists of two distinct parts:

The Plan proper which uses the common standard procedures as per framework for Major Emergency Management 20065 throughout the Geographical Area of Community Healthcare West.

The Appendices which are elements of the plan proper but are easier to treat as separate items e.g. Directory of Contacts, Garda Casualty Bureau, Media Plan, Risk Assessments, Maps and/or illustrations etc…

The variations possible in the event of a Major Emergency are so numerous that no plan can

provide detailed responses for all possible events, which may arise. This plan therefore is to

be regarded as an all hazard approach, capable of adaptation in the light of prevailing

circumstances. It is not intended, nor should it be interpreted, as a restriction on common

sense or initiative when dealing with situations as they arise. It has been developed to

identify the process to be taken by the HSE, led by the Area 2 CMT in responding to a Major

Emergency.

1.5 Relationship to other plans

This plan has been prepared in accordance with Section 4.16 of the Framework so that it is

consistent with the plans of other HSE Regions, other Principal Response Agencies,

appropriate National Emergency Plans and other Site and Event Specific Plans, which may

be activated at the same time.

1.6 Language, Terminology and Definition of a Major Emergency

This plan complies with Appendix F37 of the Framework which provides a Glossary of Terms

and Acronyms for use by the Principal Response Agencies and are outlined in Appendix

15.10 of this document

Definition of a Major Emergency:

“A Major Emergency is any event which, usually with little or no warning, causes or threatens to cause death or injury, serious disruption of essential services, or

damage to property or the environment or infrastructure beyond the normal capabilities of the principal emergency services in the area in which the event occurs and requires the activation of specific additional procedures and the

mobilisation of additional resources to ensure an effective, coordinated response.”(A Framework For Major Emergency Management 2006)

A Major Emergency can only be declared by an authorised officer of one of the Principal

Response Agencies (PRA’s)

The designated authorised officers of the PRAs are outlined in Section 7.1.2

6 Section 4.1, A Framework for Major Emergency Management, 2006 http://mem.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/A-Framework-For-Major-Emergency-Management.pdf 7 Appendix F3, A Framework for Major Emergency Management Appendices, 2006 http://mem.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/A-Framework-For-Major-Emergency-Management-Appendices.pdf

4

1.7 Distribution

This HSE Area 2 Major Emergency Plan is available for HSE Staff and PRAs on the HSE

website:

https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/3/emergencymanangement/area-mep/

1.8 Public Access to the Plan

A copy of this HSE Area 2 Major Emergency Plan with the confidential contact telephone

numbers and other personal information removed is available on the HSE Website for

members of the public whom may wish to access same:




5

Section 2 The Principal Response Agency and its Functional Area

2.1 The Agency – The Health Service Executive (HSE)

The HSE is the agency responsible for providing health and personal social services for

everyone living in this country. It has undergone significant organizational change and

provides its services under the following:

The Community Health Care Organisations (CHOs) Community Health Care West (Galway, Mayo & Roscommon)

Acute Hospital Divisions

Saolta University Health Care Group incorporating Mayo University Hospital Roscommon University Hospital Portiuncula University Hospital Galway University Hospitals

National Ambulance Services

Public Health Departments

Environmental Health Services

Child welfare comes under the remit of Tusla which has close links with the HSE services.

2.1.1 Functions of the HSE

In accordance with Appendix F58 of the Framework, the HSE will undertake the following

functions in the response to a Major Emergency: -

Declaration of a Major Emergency where appropriate and notification of the other two relevant Principal Response Agencies (PRAs)

Activation of predetermined procedures/arrangements in accordance with Major Emergency Mobilisation Procedure

Acting as lead agency for biological incidents in accordance with Appendix F79

Provision of medical advice and assistance

Provision of medical aid to casualties at the site

Triage of casualties, and assigning them to hospitals for evacuation

Casualty evacuation and ambulance transport

8 Appendix F5, A Framework for Major Emergency Management Appendices, 2006 http://mem.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/A-Framework-For-Major-Emergency-Management-Appendices.pdf 9 Appendix F7, A Framework for Major Emergency Management Appendices, 2006 http://mem.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/A-Framework-For-Major-Emergency-Management-Appendices.pdf

6

Provision of hospital treatment

Provision of psycho-social support to persons affected by the emergency

Certification of the dead

Support for An Garda Síochána’s forensic work

Support for the Coroner’s role

Clinical decontamination and decontamination of contaminated persons on arrival at hospital

Provision of chemoprophylaxis to anyone exposed to biological agents and follow up surveillance and monitoring of people exposed to hazardous substances

Advising and assisting An Garda Síochána and Local Authorities on public health issues arising

Exercising control of any voluntary or other service which it mobilises to the site

Monitoring and/or reporting on the impact in its functional area of any emergency/crisis which falls within the ambit of a “National Emergency”, and coordinating/undertaking any countermeasures in its functional area which are required/recommended by an appropriate national body

Any other function, related to its normal functions, which is necessary for the management of the emergency/crisis

Any function which the On-Site Co-ordinating Group requests it to perform

Maintaining essential health services during the Major Emergency These functions will be discharged by a variety of services including (non exhaustive): the

National Ambulance Service (NAS), Acute Hospitals Division, Community Healthcare West

(CHO), Public Health (PH) Services, Communications (Comms) and the CMT.

The Roles and the HSE Service responsible are summarised in the following table:

HSE Roles Responsible HSE Services

Declaration of a Major Emergency and notifying the

other two relevant principal response agencies

Authorised Officers in the

National Ambulance Service (NAS)

Acute Hospitals Division

Community Healthcare West (CHO)

Public Health (PH)

Notification – Both internal and external

notification to be carried out by NAS National

7

Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC).

Activation of predetermined procedures/arrangements

in accordance with its Major Emergency Mobilisation

Procedure

NAS

Acting as “lead agency”, where this is determined in

accordance with Appendix F910, and undertaking the

specified coordination function

CMT & relevant Public Health Department

Provision of medical advice and assistance

NAS

Acute Hospitals Division

CHO

Public Health

Provision of medical aid to casualties at the site NAS

Triage of casualties, and assigning them to hospitals NAS

Casualty evacuation and ambulance transport NAS

Provision of hospital treatment Acute Hospitals Division

Provision of psycho-social support for persons affected

by the emergency

CHO

Certification of the dead Acute Hospitals Division/ CHO

Support for An Garda Síochána’s forensic work All services as appropriate

Support for the Coroner’s role All Services as appropriate

Clinical decontamination and decontamination of

contaminated persons on arrival at hospital

Hospitals and NAS

Maintaining essential health services during the major

emergency

CMT and All Services

Advice and assistance to An Garda Síochána and Local

Authorities on public health issues arising

CMT & Public Health Department

Exercise control of any voluntary or other service which

it mobilises

NAS

Monitoring and/ or reporting on the impact in its

functional area of any emergency/ crisis which falls

within the ambit of a “National Emergency”, and co-

All services via the CMT

10 Appendix F9, A Framework for Major Emergency Management Appendices, 2006 http://mem.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/A-Framework-For-Major-Emergency-Management-Appendices.pdf

8

ordinating / undertaking any countermeasures in its

functional area which are required/ recommended by an

appropriate national body

Any other function, related to its normal functions, which

is necessary for the management of the emergency/

crisis

Relevant Responding Service

Any function which the On-Site Co-ordinator requests it

to perform

Relevant Responding Service

2.2 Boundaries and Characteristics of the Area Area 2 comprises of the counties of Galway, Mayo and Roscommon and includes 12

inhabited off shore Islands. The three counties comprise a total area of just over than 5,500

square miles.

Area 2 has an extensive coastline. Special arrangements for Marine, Island and Off-shore

emergencies are included in Appendix 15.6. This also covers the role of Medico Cork in off-

shore emergencies. Medico Cork is a national resource that provide a radio based support to

the Marine and Off-shore sector.

9

Section 3 Risk Assessment for the Area

The Risk Assessment of the Area 2 is set out in Appendix 15.3 of this plan. The Inter Agency

Risk Assessments are available from the Emergency Management Office if required.

Transport risks have been identified within busy seaports in Rossaveal and Galway and

within Airports at Knock, Connemara and the Aran Islands. Our busy road and rail

infrastructure also carries significant risk of multi-casualty incidents.

Our long and varied coastline and extensive rivers have been identified as a source of

potential tidal and inland waterways flooding. There are four designated classified Upper-tier

Seveso sites in the region. (See details in Risk Assessment Appendix 15.3)

10

Section 4 HSE Resources for Major Emergency Response

4.1 Internal Resources

In the event of a Major Emergency, the appropriate services from those listed here will be

activated.

4.1.1 Area 2 Crisis Management Team

Each CHO Geographical Area has an associated ACMT; this ‘is a strategic level

management group, within each principal response agency, which is assembled

during a major emergency’. The ACMT consists of senior managers representing the

various functions/services within the HSE. The ACMT is assembled to manage a crisis and

deal with issues arising for the HSE both during the emergency and subsequent recovery

phase. The ACMT is chaired by CHO CO or his/her designate.

The Area 2 CMT consists of the senior managers representing all functions and services in

the HSE Geographical Area of Community Healthcare West. Each service/function is

responsible for advising the West Emergency Management Office of the nominees to the

CMT for their service/function. (Refer to Section 6.2 for complete membership and

functions). The West Emergency Management Office manages the contact details for the

Area 2 CMT and issues each member with an Action Card associated with this plan. The

ACMT meets initially by Teleconference and if required at one of the three designated Area

2 CMT facilities. The CMT is chaired by the Chief Officer (CO), or his/her alternate. The CMT

is alerted by a mandatory text alert system and is called into conference session about 15 -

20 minutes after the declaration of a major emergency.

The Chief Emergency Management Officer (CEMO) and the Regional Emergency

Management Officers (REMO) are members of the CMT in the Area.

4.1.2 The National Ambulance Service (NAS)

The National Ambulance Service will normally provide the first HSE response to a Major

Emergency.

There are 13 Ambulance stations, spread across the three counties as follows:

Galway

6 Ambulance Stations/Bases

Roscommon


Mayo


11

National Emergency Operations Centre

The National Ambulance Service (NAS) also plays a key role in the activation of Community

Healthcare West’s response to major emergencies through its National Emergency

Operations Centre (NEOC) in Tallaght and Ballyshannon,

(See Appendix 15.4 for Map of National Ambulance Service Stations)

The NAS is responsible for the provision of pre-hospital emergency care to persons injured

as a result of the Major Emergency. Their activities during a major emergency will include

the provision of immediate treatment and the provision of transport to those injured to

definitive centres of care.

4.1.3 Acute Hospitals Division

There are 3 Receiving Hospitals (24 hour Emergency Department Facilities) in the area of

remit of this plan, Mayo University Hospital, Portiuncula University Hospital and University

Hospital Galway. The activities undertaken by these hospitals in response to a Major

Emergency will be directed by the Area 2 CMT.

(See Appendix 15.4 for locations of receiving hospitals)

4.1.4 Community Health Care Organisations (CHO’s).

During a Major Emergency, and particularly in the aftermath, Community Healthcare West

will play a vital role in caring for, and supporting, a wide range of individuals, including the

families and friends of casualties, uninjured survivors, and those who have been evacuated

from their homes.

These functions are provided within Community Healthcare West through the following

services:

Primary Care.

Mental Health

Health & Wellbeing

Social Care

Depending on the nature of the Major Emergency the services of Community Healthcare

West may be involved in providing extra services to the communities affected by the Major

Emergency.

Community Healthcare West has its own Major Emergency Plan and Site Specific plans for

each of its residential community nursing units.

12

4.1.5 Public Health

The Public Health Medical Service will play a significant role during the response to any

Major Emergency which results in a real or perceived threat to public health, including

emergencies involving an infectious condition, such as serious outbreaks, emerging threats

and pandemic influenza, the release of a chemical, radioactive or biological (CBRN) agent or

the contamination of water or food supplies. In Community Healthcare West, Public Health

provides services from the West Public Health Department which covers Galway, Mayo and

Roscommon.

The Director of Public Health or their nominated representative - a Specialist in Public Health

Medicine (CPHM) is assigned the Medical Officer of Health role. The Medical Officer of

Health (MOH) has responsibility and authority to investigate and control notifiable infectious

diseases and outbreaks, under the Health Acts 1947 and 1953; Infectious Disease

Regulations 1981 and subsequent amendments to these regulations. This legislation gives

the MOH significant authority to take all steps necessary to control the spread any infectious

conditions. Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018, Article 9 2(i), Public

Health can access identifiable data relevant to all hazards without consent in the public

interest for public health, under MOH legislation.

Other relevant legislation which describes the public health role during emergencies includes

the International Health Regulations (2005), Decision no. 1082/2013/EU on cross border

threats to health, infectious disease regulations (Aircraft and Shipping); the Health (Duties of

Officers) Order, 1949, drinking water, air quality and other environmental legislation to

include environmental control.

4.1.6 Psycho – Social Support

The HSE will provide psycho-social support in accordance with the guidance document on

Psychosocial and Mental Health needs following Major Emergencies.

Available at: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/mentalhealth/emer.pdf

A nominated Principle Psychology Manager for each CHO geographic area will take the lead

for the Psycho-social coordination in both planning and response for major emergency

situations and are therefore members of each respective Area Emergency Planning Group

(for planning purposes) and the respective Area Crisis Management Team (for coordination

of the response).

The aims of providing psychosocial and mental health care in the aftermath of Major Emergencies of all kinds are to:

Mitigate the psychosocial and mental health effects on people by responding proportionately, flexibly and in a timely way to the phased needs of people who are affected; and

Ensure a continuum of care, provided in an integrated way that recognises that people’s needs may be immediate, as well as short, medium or long term.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1947/en/act/pub/0028/index.html

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1953/en/act/pub/0026/index.html

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1981/en/si/0390.html

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1981/en/si/0390.html

https://www.who.int/ihr/publications/9789241580496/en/

https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/emergencyplanning/porthealth/publichealthguidance/phguidancedocuments/FINAL%20Full%20MOH%20response%20to%20a%20communicable%20disease%20incident%20on%20an%20aircraft%2012%2003%202018.pdf

https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/emergencyplanning/porthealth/publichealthguidance/phguidancedocuments/Guidance%20for%20MOH%20response%20to%20an%20event%20on%20ship%20Port%20Health%20Group%20Feb%202019.pdf

13

4.1.7 Environmental Health

The HSE Environmental Health Service will play a significant role in the response to any

Major Emergency which threatens or results in the contamination of water or food supplies

and has significant statutory powers with respect to food safety. The Regional Chief

Environmental Health Manager and the Principal Environmental Health Officers in Area 2

are members of the HSE Area 2 Crisis Management team.

It is anticipated that Environmental Health Services would be involved in the following areas /

incidents:

Major Contamination of Drinking Water Supply

Major Contamination of food

Major flooding

Contamination of land and air

4.1.8 The Emergency Management Office

The principal roles of the Regional Emergency Management Offices are to assist all HSE

services/functions in planning for a Major Emergency and to facilitate and support the Area 2

CMT during a Major Emergency.

The Emergency Management Function is organized as follows:

Figure 4.1 Emergency Management Structure

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14

4.1.9 Communications Division

The HSE National Communications Division works with health service teams all over the

country. HSE Divisions are each assigned a Client Director from the Communications

Division, who works as a programme manager for the communications elements of the

division’s work. They are your expert Communications Consultant; there to help you get the

most from your communications programmes and the support services. The Client Director

for Emergency Management contact details are listed within the Directory of Contacts in

Appendix 15.9.

Each Hospital Group and CHO has designated Communications staff within their function.

These staff will support Area 2 CMT in association with the National Communications

Division as appropriate. They may also fulfill the role of Media Liaison Officer as required.

4.1.10 Support Functions

Support to the HSE response will be provided by a number of other departments within the

organisation. These are;

Human Resources

Finance

Logistics / Procurement

Estate Management

Information Communications Technology (ICT)

In the event of a Major Emergency, Area 2 CMT will activate the appropriate services.

4.2 External Resources

In the event of a Major Emergency, the HSE may request activation of appropriate external

resources, as required, from the following agencies:

Neighbouring HSE Services

The Irish Red Cross

The Order of Malta Ambulance Corps

The St. John Ambulance Brigade

Coast Guard

Civil Defence (via and by agreement with the Local Authority)

The Defence Forces, including Aer Corps & Naval Service (by agreement)

15

RNLI

Voluntary and Private Hospitals and other health facilities with which pre-

existing arrangements have been made for specific support.

Organisations that may provide community resilience.

4.3 Regional Interagency Level Response

A Regional Interagency Response may be required when the nature of a Major Emergency

is such that:

The resources available locally do not appear to be sufficient

The consequences are likely to impact outside the area

The incident is spread across more than one Local Authority area or is

close to a boundary of two or more of the Principal Response Agencies.

The Plan for Regional Level Co-ordination may be activated, in accordance with Section 9 of

this plan.

16

Section 5 Preparedness for Major Emergency Response

5.1 This Plan

The Emergency Management function has prepared this plan which sets out its

arrangements to respond to events occurring in or impacting on its functional region, which

require the declaration of a Major Emergency. The HSE functions are set out in Section

2.1.1

5.2 Structures

The HSE has established Planning and Preparedness Major Emergency Management

groups at National, Regional, Area and Local/Service levels, which take a lead in the

development, exercise, review and maintenance of an appropriate level of preparedness for

Major Emergency Response.

5.2.1 National

At National level, the National Emergency Planning Group (NEPG) has responsibility for

Emergency Planning. The purpose of the NEPG is to support and encourage best practice in

Emergency Management throughout all HSE areas. The group’s Membership includes

senior management representatives from all HSE Directorates including the CHOs and the

Acute Hospitals Division. It is chaired by the Assistant National Director of Emergency

Management. This team meets twice yearly and more frequently if required. When

necessary the NEPG may create specialised sub groups to plan for specific emerging

threats, this is most likely when there is (or a threat of) a public health emergency with the

Department of Health leading the National response. In this instance this group may also

take the lead in coordinating the overall HSE response to such an emergency. This

delegation will only happen at the direction of the Director General.

5.2.2 Area 2 Emergency Planning Group

An Area Emergency Planning Group (AEPG) is coterminous with the geographical area of its

Community Healthcare Organisation (Community Healthcare West). The purpose of the

AEPG is to support and encourage best practice in Emergency Management throughout

Area 2 and across all HSE services and facilities. The membership of the AEPG consists of

representatives of all key HSE functions, Acute Hospitals Division and other key HSE

frontline and ancillary services in that geographic area. This Group is chaired by a Head of

Service designated by the Chief Officer. The Chair will oversee the coordination and

harmonisation of all EM plans in the area. The Group will plan and prepare response and

recovery measures for all emergency situations within Community Healthcare West.

5.2.3 Local, Site and Service

Each Acute Hospital Division has a designated Lead for Emergency Management. Each

Receiving Hospital has a designated Lead for Emergency Management and an Emergency

Management Planning Group. Likewise, each CHO has a Lead for Emergency Management

and an Emergency Management Group.

17

5.3 Service and Business Plans

Major Emergency Management is advanced and monitored across all areas and services of

the HSE by means of the annual service and business planning processes. Emergency

Management is included in the overall Service Plan of the HSE as well as in the Service and

Business Plans of the Hospitals CHO’s, NAS, and Public Health, at National, Regional, Area

and Local/Service levels.

5.4 Preparedness

The Geographical Area of Community Healthcare West continues to develop a level of preparedness for Major Emergency response by:

The nomination of individuals and alternates to key roles

The provision of training for all those involved

The organisation of a comprehensive programme of exercises including internal and

inter-agency exercises.

5.5 Responsibility for Major Emergency Development Process

The responsibility for planning the response to major emergencies within the

Geographical Area of Community Healthcare West lies with the Area Emergency

Planning Group.

5.6 Key Roles

The Geographical Area of Community Healthcare West has nominated competent

individuals and alternates to the key roles to enable the agency to function in accordance

with the common arrangements set out in this Plan. These roles include;

HSE Key Roles Possible Appointee

Chair of Area 2 CMT CO of Community Healthcare West or

his/her alternate

(Site) Controller of Operations Chief Ambulance Officer or designated alternative

Director of Public Health or designated alternative

In the case of an Acute Public Health

Emergency, the NAS may act as the

Controller of Operations, and will be

provided with clinical support by a

Public Health Doctor.

Media Liaison Officer Communications Officer or designated alternative

18

Interagency Key Roles Possible Appointee

Chair Regional Co-Ordination Group CO or his/her alternate (if HSE lead

agency)

Chair of Local Co-Ordination Group CO or his/her alternate (if HSE lead

agency)

On Site Co-Coordinator Chief Ambulance Officer or designated alternative

Director Of Public Health or designated alternative

Information Management Officers

(IMOs)

IMOs for the RCC will be provided by the Office of the CO

IMO’s for the LCC will be provided by CO - From trained Group

Action Managers (AMs) AM’s for the RCC will be provided by the office of the CO

AM’s for the LCC will be provided by the CO

5.7 Supports for Key Roles

Support teams may be formed to support and assist individuals in key roles. These teams

will be drawn from existing staff in the HSE.

5.8 Linking the Major Emergency Plan with Other Emergency Plans

As well as the normal activation procedure, set out in Section 7, this plan may be activated

during an emergency which involves the activation of:

A National Emergency Plan (see Section 10),

A Severe Weather Plan (see Section 11), or

A Site or Event Specific Plan (see Section 12)

Information Management Officer (IMOs) IMOs for the CMT will be provided by the Office of the CO

IMO’s for the Incident Site will be provided by NAS or CO – From Trained Group

Action Manager (AM) AM’s for the CMT will be provided by the office of the CO

AM’s for the Site will be provided by the CO

Support Staff Appropriate service(s)

19

5.9 Staff Development, Training and Exercise Programs

As part of the preparedness process, The HSE West Emergency Management Office has an

on-going programme of staff development and training, as well as organising an annual

programme of exercises.

5.9.1 Training

All HSE staff, who have a role to play in a Major Emergency response, are provided with

training. A database pf all trained personnel is held at the Emergency Management office.

This training includes both internal and inter-agency seminars and training courses such as

On-Site Coordination, Local Coordination and Information Management.

5.9.2 Exercises

The HSE West Emergency Management Office has an on-going programme of exercises,

both internal and inter-agency, which include:

Exercises within individual services, such as Hospitals and CHOs.

Inter-agency exercises, organised by the relevant Interagency Regional Working

Groups

Exercises at Airports

Exercises at Upper-tier Seveso Sites

5.10 Major Emergency Preparedness Appraisal In accordance with the requirements in Section 4.711 of the Framework, the Emergency

Management Office will carry out and document an annual appraisal of its preparedness for

Major Emergencies each year.

11 Section 4.7, A Framework for Major Emergency Management, 2006 http://mem.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/A-

Framework-For-Major-Emergency-Management.pdf

20

Section 6 The Command, Control and Co-ordination System

6.1 HSE CMT(s) Structures

During a Major Emergency Response, the HSE will exercise command and control over its

own resources, primarily by means of a CMT and existing management structures.

6.1.1 Area 2 CMT

The Area 2 CMT is a strategic level management group drawn from the senior HSE

managers from all HSE services/functions in this area, who will meet at the pre-determined

location. The functions of the Area 2 CMT are to:

Manage, control and co-ordinate the overall HSE response to the situation.

Provide support to the HSE’s Controller of Operations on site and mobilise resources

from within the Area 2 functions/services or externally as required.

Liaise with HSE national CMT (if activated), and relevant Government Departments

on strategic issues.

Ensure appropriate participation of the HSE Area 2 functions/services in the inter-

agency coordination structures.

Maintain the HSE Area 2 functions/services normal day-to-day services

Oversee the recovery strategies of HSE Area 2 resources.

Co-ordinate all requests for assistance both internally and externally.

Collect and collate all available information on the Major Emergency.

Oversee the management of staff resources during a protracted incident.

Co-ordinate all media briefings in relation to HSE Area 2 function’s/service’s

activities.

Co-ordinate and endorse regular public information.

Arrange and conduct debriefs on the Major Emergency.

Liaise with the Local and or Regional Coordination Centre.

Co ordinate the phased stand down of HSE Area 2 resources as required.

21

6.2 CMT Members and their Respective Function

6.1.2 Area 2 Crisis Management Team Membership;

1. Chief Officer of Community Healthcare West (Chair). 2. Representative of Area EM Office. 3. Hospital Group EM representatives. 4. Area Operations Manager, National Ambulance Service. 5. Community Healthcare West representatives (Heads of Services) 6. Director of Public Health or designate. 7. Principal Environmental Health Officer. 8. Communications Representative. (When required CO CHO or COO

Saolta will provide same).

Representatives from the following services will be requested by the Chief Officer as appropriate:

9. Human Resources. 10. Finance. 11. HBS Estates. 12. Procurement. 13. IT.

6.2.2 Chairperson – CO or his/her alternate

Chair all Area 2 CMT meetings.

Ensure coordination of HSE services involved.

Establish and maintain linkages and reporting functions with National HSE involved

in the response.

In conjunction with Emergency Management staff, ensure all appropriate

documentation is maintained in relation to the activation.

Establish and maintain contact with HSE Representative on the Regional Co-

Ordination Group (if activated).

Provide Support to the HSE representative at Local Co-ordination Centre (LCC).

Establish and maintain links with the responding services involved in the Activation.

Manage requests and resource requirements which will affect the areas HSE

response to the activation.

22

Liaise with other ACMTs in relation to issues which will impact on the HSE response

to the activation.

Advise the regional coordination group in relation to HSE service issues on an Inter

Agency basis.

Deliver status reports on the activity of HSE services during and post incident to the

Area 2 CMT.

Manage the stand down of HSE services in the area following the incident.

Ensure that service continuity is maintained during and post incident.

Establish and maintain links with the responding services involved in the Activation.

6.2.3 NAS Area Operations Manager or Alternate

The Chief Ambulance Officer and their Assistant Chiefs are members of the Area 2 CMT

Represent the National Ambulance Service at the Area 2 CMT meetings.

Establish and maintain links with the responding Ambulance service Officers involved

in the management of the Activation.

Manage requests and requirements which will affect the areas ambulance services


Liaise with other HSE services in relation to issues which will impact on the area

ambulance services response to the activation.

Through the chair of the Area 2 CMT advise the Local Coordination group in relation

to ambulance service issues on an interagency basis.

Deliver status reports on the activity of the ambulance service during and post

incident to the Area 2 CMT.

Manage the stand down of the ambulance service in the area following the incident,

having cognisance of the other HSE responding services.

Ensure that service continuity is managed during and post incident.

23

6.2.4 Acute Hospital Divisions – Saolta University Healthcare Group

The CEO & COO of Saolta and the General Managers and their Deputies of GUH, MUH &

PUH are members of the Area 2 CMT

Represent the Saolta Group at the Area 2 CMT meetings.

Establish and maintain links with the responding services (NEOC & NAS as

required).

Manage all acute hospital requirements in response to the Emergency.

Provide updates to Area 2 CMT regarding capacity and hospital status.

Liaise with other HSE services regarding issues which impact the acute hospitals.

Through the chair of the Area 2 CMT liaise with the Local Coordination group in

relation to acute hospital services on an Inter- Agency basis.

Deliver status reports on the activity of the acute hospital services during and post


Manage the stand down of the acute hospital services in the area following the

incident. Having cognisance of the other HSE responding services.

Ensure that service continuity for Saolta Hospitals is managed during and post

incident.

6.2.5 Community Healthcare West

The Heads of Service are members of the Area 2 CMT.

Represent Community Healthcare West at the Area 2 CMT meetings.

Establish and maintain links with the responding services as required.

Manage all Community Healthcare West requirements in response to the

Emergency.

Provide updates to Area 2 CMT regarding Community Healthcare West service’s

status.

Liaise with other HSE services regarding issues which impact Community Healthcare

West services.

24


relation to Community Healthcare West services on an Inter- Agency basis.

Deliver status reports on the activity of Community Healthcare West services during

and post incident to the Area 2 CMT.

Manage the stand down of the Community Healthcare West services in the area

following the incident. Having cognisance of the other HSE responding Services.

Ensure that service continuity for Community Healthcare West services are managed

during and post incident.

6.2.6 Public Health West

This will be the Director of Public Health or a Specialist in Public Health Medicine

Represent the Area 2’s Public Health Medical service at the Area 2 CMT meetings.

Take a lead role where the incident involves a biological agent

Establish and maintain links with the responding services of the Area 2 Public Health

services involved in the activation.

Manage requests and requirements which will affect the Area 2 Public Health services


Provide Public Health advice as required at Area 2 CMT meetings.

Liaise with other HSE services in relation to issues which will impact on the Public

Health services response to the activation.


relation to Public Health services issues on an Inter- Agency basis.

Deliver status reports on the activity of the Public Health services during and post


Manage the stand down of the Public Health services in the area following the

incident. Having cognisance of the other HSE responding Services.


25

In any emergency which involves possible exposure of members of the public to a

hazard, public health will perform a public health risk assessment (PHRA) based on

the information provided to them. This includes determining the exposure – receptor

pathway. The PHRA is an iterative process, and the public health medical advice is

updated as new information is provided.

Based on the PHRA, public health will provide public health medical advice, including

advice on decontamination measures.

Public health is trained in communicating the risk and advice to members of the

public, media as well as to the Area 2 CMT.

Where there is a credible threat of a CBRN incident, this advice is used to feed into a

Joint Threats Analysis. The joint threat analysis is carried out by An Garda Siochana,

supported by the Defence Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal team (EOD), Fire

Service and public health.

Where a biological agent is suspected public health is responsible for the provision of

post-exposure chemoprophylaxis to all those exposed.

6.2.7 Psycho – Social Support

The Director of Psychology is a member of the Area 2 CMT.

Represent the Psycho- Social function at the Area 2 CMT meetings.

Manage requests and requirements which will affect the Area 2 Psycho- Social

function’s response to the activation.

Provide Psycho-Social advice as required at Area 2 CMT meetings

Liaise with other HSE services in relation to issues which will impact on the Psycho-

Social function’s response to the activation.


relation to Psycho- Social issues on an Inter- Agency basis.

Deliver status reports on the activity of the Psycho- Social function during and post


Manage the stand down of the Psycho- Social function in the area following the



26

6.2.8 Environmental Health

The Regional Chief Environmental Health Manager and the Principal Environmental Health

Officers in Area 2 are members of the HSE Area 2 Crisis Management Team.

Represent the Area 2’s Environmental Health service at the Area 2 CMT meetings.

Establish and maintain links with the responding services of the area Environmental

Health services involved in the activation.

Manage requests and requirements which will affect the Area 2’s Environmental

Health services response to the activation.

Liaise with other HSE services in relation to issues which will impact on the

Environmental Health service’s response to the activation


relation to Environmental Health services issues on an Inter- Agency basis.

Deliver status reports on the activity of the Environmental Health services during and

post incident to the Area 2 CMT.

As Appropriate to the incident, carry out the following:

Immediately Liaise with Irish Water and the Local Authority.

Liaise with the Department of Public Health to develop a knowledgeable position on the incident and to develop information and advice for other agencies and general public.

Inform Irish Water/ Local Authority of advice to be given to consumers.

Contact relevant laboratories in order to prepare for the taking of necessary samples.

Lead out on food contamination issues.

Liaise immediately and maintain regular contact with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and with the Food Industry.

Maintain contact and liaise with the relevant colleagues in local and adjoining Health Safety Executive services, Local Authorities and other stakeholders (e.g. Social Protection).

27

Enforce as appropriate Food Safety statutory measures where required in situations which threatens or results in the contamination of water or food supplies.

Co-operate with FSAI and Area 2’s Communications Departments in advising the general public.

Manage the stand down of the Environmental Health services in the area following the incident. Having cognisance of the other HSE responding Services.


6.2.9 Regional Emergency Management Office

The Chief Emergency Management Officer and the Regional Emergency Management

Officers are members of the Area 2 CMT.

To provide advice on the HSE MEM Management of the incident to the members of

the Area 2 CMT.

To liaise with the National Office of Emergency Management in relation to the

Incident.

To liaise with the Emergency Management staff from other HSE areas in relation to

the response.

To assist in the collation all documents generated in relation to the activation.

In association with the Chair of Area 2 CMT, manage the stand down of the

emergency management staff and command centre following the incident

To assist the completion of reports in relation to the activation post incident.

6.2.10 HSE Communications Division Representative

Depending on the nature of the Emergency and availability of appropriate staff, the

Communications Officer will be nominated from either the Hospital or CHO service by the

Area 2 CMT. Their duties will include the following:

Provide Communications Expertise at the Area 2 CMT meetings as required.

Establish and maintain links with the HSE National Communications Division and the

relevant HSE functions/services involved in the Activation.

Manage requests and requirements in relation to communications issues from the

members of the Area 2 CMT.

28

Through the chair of the Area 2 CMT, liaise with the communications sections of the

other responding statutory agencies in relation to all media and public information

issues.

Deliver status reports on the activity of the Communications Division during and post


Manage the stand down of the Communications Division in the area following the



6.2.11 Logistics/Procurement Manager

Represent the Logistic/Procurement management service at the Area 2 CMT

meetings.

Manage requests and requirements in relation to Logistic/Procurement management

service issues from the members of the Area 2 CMT.

Through the chair of the Area 2 CMT liaise with the other responding statutory

agencies in relation to all Logistic/Procurement issues.

Deliver status reports on the activity of the Logistic/Procurement management

service services during and post incident to the Area 2 CMT.

Manage the stand down of the Logistic/Procurement management service in the area

following the incident. Having cognisance of the other HSE responding Services.

Ensure that service continuity in all supply chains are managed during and post

incident.

6.2.12 Human Resources

Advise the Area 2 CMT on all Human resource issues in relation to the incident.

29

6.2.13 Specialist Advisers to the Area 2 Crisis Management Team

The Area 2 CMT have at its disposal specialist advisers who can be called upon by the Area

2 CMT. during activation.

They are not members of the Area 2 CMT but can be called upon to assist the Area 2 CMT

in their response to an incident. Their functions are to;

To attend Area 2 CMT meetings on request either by phone link or in person.

To give advice on specific issues in relation to their specialist area expertise.

To research issues in relation to their specialist area and report to the Area 2 CMT on

their findings.

6.3 Control at the Site

At the site of a Major Emergency, the HSE will exercise control, not only over its own

services, but also over any additional services (other than those of the other Principal

Response Agencies) which it mobilises to the site. Control of the HSE services at the site of

the Emergency shall be exercised by the Controller of Operations. The Controller of

Operations is empowered to make all decisions relating to his/her agency’s functions, but

must take account of decisions of the On-Site Co-ordination Group in so doing.

6.3.1 The role of the Controller of Operations is set out below:

To make such decisions as are appropriate to the role of controlling the activities of

HSE services at the site (Controlling in this context may mean setting priority

objectives for individual services; command of each service should remain with the

officers of that service.)

To meet with the other two Controllers, determine the lead agency and inform Area 2

CMT of this decision

To undertake the role of On-Site Co-ordinator, where the service s/he represents is

identified as the lead agency

To participate fully in the site co-ordination activity, including the establishment of a

Site Management Plan

30

Where another service is the Lead Agency, to ensure that HSE operations are co-

ordinated with the other Principal Response Agencies, including ensuring secure

communications with all agencies responding to the major emergency at the site

To decide and request the attendance of such services as s/he determines are

needed

To exercise control over such services as s/he has requested to attend

To operate a Holding Area to which HSE personnel from his/her agency will report on

arrival at the site of the major emergency and from which they will be deployed

To requisition any equipment s/he deems necessary to deal with the incident

To seek such advice as s/he requires

To maintain a log of HSE activity at the incident site and decisions made;

To contribute to and ensure information management systems operate effectively;

To liaise with and brief the Area 2 CMT on the handling of the major emergency.

Other functions of the HSE Controller of Operations

For most incidents the HSE Controller of Operations will be a designated Ambulance

Officer or his or her designated alternative. The Regional Ambulance Plan may

contain additional tasks and responsibilities for the HSE Controller of Operations

31

Section 7 The Common Elements of Response The common elements of response are as follows:

7.1 Declaring a Major Emergency 7.2 Initial Mobilisation 7.3 Command, Control and Communication Centres 7.4 Co-ordination Centres 7.5 Communications Facilities 7.6 Exercising the Lead Agency’s Co-ordination Roles 7.7 Public Information 7.8 The Media 7.9 Site Management Arrangements 7.10 Mobilising Additional Resources 7.11 Casualty and Survivor Arrangements 7.12 Emergencies involving Hazardous Materials 7.13 Protecting Threatened Populations 7.14 Early and Public Warning Systems 7.15 Emergencies arising on Inland Waterways 7.16 Safety, Health and Welfare Considerations 7.17 Logistical Issues/ Protracted Incidents 7.18 Investigations 7.19 Community/ VIPs/ Observers 7.20 Standing-Down the Major Emergency

32

7.1 Declaring a Major Emergency

7.1.1 General

A Major Emergency can be declared by an “Authorised Officer” and the relevant Major Emergency Plans activated by whichever of the Principal Response Agencies (An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive or the Local Authority) first becomes aware that a Major Emergency has occurred or is imminent. A Major Emergency will be declared by an Authorised Officer of the Principal Response

Agency which first considers that the criteria set out in the Framework12 definition of a Major

Emergency have been satisfied.

Note: Only an Authorised Officer of a Principal Response Agency (PRA) can declare

that a Major Emergency exists.

7.1.2 HSE Activation & Authorised Officers

The following HSE staff or their alternate acting on their behalf are authorised to declare a

Major Emergency and to activate this plan.

National Ambulance Service Chief/Assistant Chief/Area Operations Manager

National Ambulance Service National Emergency Operations Centre Manager

Acute Hospitals Division CEO

Chief Officer of CHO Area

Director of Public Health

Chief Emergency Management Officer/Regional Emergency Management Officer Where an Authorised Officer considers that the criteria set out in the Framework13 definition of a Major Emergency has been satisfied, that Officer should immediately contact NAS National Emergency Operations Centre, declare that a Major Emergency exists and request the activation of the HSE Area 2 Emergency Plan (covering the geographical areas of counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon). This request should be supported by as much information as is available, structured using the METHANE mnemonic. National Emergency Operations Centre will then initiate the HSE Major Emergency Mobilisation Procedures, which include notifying the other Principal Response Agencies of the declaration of a Major Emergency, using the telephone numbers in the Common Pages.

12 A Framework for Major Emergency Management, 2006 http://mem.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/A-Framework-For-Major-Emergency-Management.pdf 13 ibid

Please refer to the Common Pages inside the front cover of this Plan which gives the method of Activation and a typical message to declare a Major Emergency

33

Once An Garda Síochána and the Local Authority have been notified, they will call back NEOC Centre using the numbers in the Common Pages, to confirm that they have activated their Major Emergency Plans. The National Emergency Management Office has adopted the process of compulsory notification to its Crisis Management Teams (CMTs) should a Major Emergency Plan be activated in one of the HSE Services. This means that all members of the area CMT for that area are notified of the emergency and required to come together on a teleconference to discuss the response and agree further actions for the CMT. This Plan is identical to all other plans in relation to its process of activation: all Major Emergency Plans have two phases of activation. These two phases of “Alert” are detailed as follows:

Declaration of Standby: When a Major Emergency appears likely to occur (adverse weather forecasts terrorist threat or possibility of disease outbreak) The declaration of a Standby is intended to alert the individual members of the Crisis Management Team that a Major Emergency may occur giving the Team time to assess the situation and time to prepare an appropriate response. Declaration of Major Emergency: When a Major Emergency has been declared The declaration of a Major Emergency is intended to confirm to the individual members of the Crisis Management Team that a Major Emergency has been declared.

7.1.3 Garda or Local Authority Activation

Where a Major Emergency is declared by An Garda Síochána or a Local Authority, they will

notify National Emergency Operations Centre of the declaration, using the telephone

numbers in the Common Pages. National Emergency Operations Centre will then initiate

the HSE Major Emergency Mobilisation Procedures.

As part of that process, National Emergency Operations Centre will call An Garda Síochána

and the relevant Local Authority, using the numbers on the Common Pages, to confirm that

the HSE West Major Emergency Plan has been activated.

7.1.4 Other Activations

In addition to the declaration of a Major Emergency by one of the Principal Response

Agencies, this Plan may be activated in response to a request from a member of the HSE

National CMT.

7.1.5 Major Emergency Arising at a Hospital, CHO facility, Public

Health Department or other HSE Facility

In the event that a Major Emergency arises in a HSE facility, the relevant authorised officer

at that facility, having declared a Major Emergency at the facility, will contact NAS National

Emergency Operations Centre and inform the Controller on Duty of the nature of the incident

and that a Major Emergency has been declared at the facility.

34

NEOC will initiate the HSE’s Major Emergency Plan, alert the Area 2 CMT and other PRA’s.

7.1.6 Response of the HSE to a Major Emergency

The detailed response of the HSE to the declaration of a Major Emergency will depend on

the information supplied (in the METHANE Message) and an assessment of the range and

scale of HSE resources which are likely to be required in the response.

Activation of the Emergency Management Area 2 Major Emergency Mobilisation Procedures

will include the following:

The Ambulance Controller on Duty will follow pre-determined National Emergency Operations Centre Procedures which will normally include: - the dispatch of the nearest available ambulance(s) to the scene, notification of appropriate hospitals, notification of the Ambulance Area Resource Manager and/or designate, as appropriate as per the control centre protocols.

The Area 2 CMT will be activated using the text alert system and will meet initially by teleconference, to manage, control and co-ordinate the HSE’s overall response to the situation.

Not all hospitals may be required to act as Receiving Hospitals for casualties from the Major Emergency. Some may be required to support the Receiving Hospital(s) by, for example, taking more non Major Emergency ED traffic. Such Support Hospitals will be notified accordingly.

If necessary, other resources may be put on stand-by, such as other Hospitals, CHO services, voluntary organizations, that need extra time to mobilise, as well as services in adjoining Regions. Public health may request additional resources from neighboring areas, or at a national level through the AND Health Protection.

Note: A HSE response will always follow the declaration of a Major Emergency which is

made in accordance with the MEM Framework14. The extent and detail of that response will

depend on the information supplied. As an incident progresses, the HSE response will be

managed by the Area 2 CMT. Even if the incident proves to be less serious than first

assessed, the HSE response will not normally be stood down until the Area 2 CMT has

issued the appropriate stand down instructions. These instructions will vary depending on

the service, department or hospital involved.

7.2 Initial Mobilisation

The Major Emergency Mobilisation Procedure (See Appendix 15.1 HSE Mobilisation

Procedure) will be implemented immediately on notification of the declaration of a major

emergency. When this Plan has been activated, each service requested shall respond, in

accordance with pre-determined arrangements.

In some situations, there may be an early warning of an impending emergency. Mobilisation

within the Geographical Area of Community Healthcare West may include moving to a

14 ibid

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standby/alert stage for some services or specific individuals, until the situation becomes

clearer.

There may also be circumstances where the resources or expertise of agencies other than

the Principal Response Agencies will be required. In these situations the relevant

arrangements outlined in Section 7.10 of this Plan will be invoked. No third party should

respond to the site of a major emergency, unless mobilised by one of the Principal

Response Agencies through an agreed procedure.

Depending on the nature of the emergency, mobilisation may involve the dispatch to the site

of a Site Medical Officer and, possibly, a Site Medical Team. Decisions on the personnel

involved (whether from a hospital or a community based service) will depend on a number of

local and event specific factors.

In the event of a Major Emergency being declared initial mobilisation will be carried out by the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC). Once the NEOC is satisfied that initial

mobilisation is underway a compulsory notification of the Area 2 CMT will be initiated using

the text alert system. When the Area 2 CMT is assembled on a conference call either the NAS Duty Controller or NAS Area Operations Manager will brief the Area 2 CMT on the emergency.

7.2.1 Process used to alert the Area 2 CMT

Following receipt of a METHANE message the Emergency Medical Controller (NEOC) will

initiate the nationally agreed protocol for alerting the Area 2 CMT.

The initial alert is disseminated to each member of the Area 2 CMT via SMS text messaging

system.

Each member will be contacted by SMS text, the content of the message will be as follows:

“Major Emergency Area 2 CMT

Consult your Action Card

Teleconference in 15 mins

Check message sent time on your phone”

The Area 2 CMT members should consult their Action Card and ring the prescribed number

contained in their Action Card to participate in the teleconference (15 mins from message

sent time).

A full briefing will be given on the teleconference by the lead HSE directorate/division

(NAS/Public Health) which is involved in the operational response.

The purpose of this text is to inform the members of the Area 2 CMT that a Major

Emergency has occurred or is imminent and to allow them to prepare to respond.

7.2.2 Activation Protocol Backup

In the event of failure of the text system the following protocol will be initiated by the

National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC).

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NEOC will phone the Emergency Management Lead for each service/function or their

alternate of the Area 2 CMT from a list provided, and relay details pertaining to the Major

Emergency.

When the Area 2 CMT is convened, members will cascade the activation through their own

directorates as deemed appropriate and deploy resources required.

7.2.3 Notification of others The alerting process has a built in resilience element, when the initial SMS Text message is

sent to the Area 2 CMT members an identical message is simultaneously received by:

The Assistant National Director for Emergency Management

The NEOC (National Emergency Operations Centre) which receives the declaration from an

internal HSE source will then contact the relevant Principal Response Agencies within the

Area where the incident has occurred and alert them of the HSE activation.

7.3 Command, Control and Communication Centers

The NEOC will be the primary means by which the HSE will mobilise its resources at the

scene and maintain communications between the site(s), the receiving hospital(s) and Area

2 CMT.

7.4 Co-ordination Centers

Co-ordination of the response to a Major Emergency will take place primarily at the site, at

the Area 2 CMT’s facility and at the Local Co-ordination Centre (Interagency). Each

“Receiving” Hospital and each CHO area have designated facilities from which to manage its

response to a Major Emergency.

7.4.1 Interagency On-Site Co-ordination Centre

This may be a dedicated vehicle, tent or an adjacent building near the location of the incident

site. The three Controllers of Operation will decide on the most suitable location for the On-

Site Coordination Centre.

7.4.2 Area 2 Crisis Management Team

The Area 2 CMT will meet at:

Emergency Management Office, Merlin Park Hospital, Galway

Eircode: H91 N973

7.4.3 Local Interagency Co-ordination Centre

The Local Co-Ordination Group will meet in whichever of the following Local Co-ordination

Centre is most appropriate:

Mayo County Council, Arás an Chontae, The Mall, Castlebar, Co. Mayo Eircode: F23

WF90

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Roscommon Fire Station, Circular Rd, Ardsallagh More, Roscommon Eircode: F42 A008

Galway City Council, City Hall, College Road, Galway Eircode: H91 X4K8

Galway County Council, County Buildings, Prospect Hill, Galway Eircode: H91 H6KX

or

Oranmore Garda Station, Coast Road, Millplot, Oranmore, Co. Galway Eircode: H91 D562

7.4.4 Regional Interagency Co-ordination Centres

In the event that a regional level response is required, the Plan for Regional Level Co-

operation may be activated and a Regional Co- ordination Group will meet in whichever of

the Local Co-ordination Centres is considered most appropriate. (See Section 9).

7.5 Communications Facilities

During a Major Emergency the HSE will use a variety of technical communications facilities

for internal and external communications.

7.5.1 HSE Communications Systems

All normal communications systems, including telephone, email, mobile telephone and fax,

will be used to communicate between the various HSE Centres involved in the response to a

Major Emergency, as well as with relevant external agencies, such as the Local Authority,

An Garda Síochána, the Department of Health and Children, etc.

The NAS use TETRA Radio System as their means of communication.

7.5.2 Inter-Agency Communications On-Site

Inter-Agency Communications On-Site will be facilitated by means of a set of hand portable

radios which will be operated on a single channel shared between the three Principal

Emergency Services (PES)

7.5.3 Communications between the Site and Co-ordination Centres

Communication between the On-Site Co-ordination Group and the Local Co-ordination

Group will be facilitated by way of the radio and/or telephone systems available to relevant

personnel at the time.

7.6 Exercising the Lead Agency’s Co-ordination Roles

7.6.1 The Lead Agency

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For every Major Emergency, one of the three Principal Response Agencies will be

designated as the lead agency, in accordance with Section 5.4.215 of the Framework, and

will assume responsibility for inter-agency co-ordination at both the site(s)and at the Local

Co-ordination Centre (in accordance with Section 5.4.316 of the Framework).

7.6.2 Review and Transfer of the Lead Agency

The lead agency role may change over time, to reflect the change in circumstances of the

Major Emergency. Ownership of the lead agency should be reviewed at appropriate stages.

All changes in lead agency designation, and the timing thereof, shall be by agreement of the

three Controllers of Operation and shall be notified as soon as possible to the Local Co-

ordination Group.

7.6.3 The HSE as Lead Agency

Where the HSE is assigned the role of lead agency in a Major Emergency in Area 2, it will

have responsibility for the co-ordination function, at both the On-Site and the Local Co-

ordination Centres. Public health have a significant role in the event of a biological incident.

In accordance with Section 5.4.317 of the Framework, the co-ordination function includes:

Ensuring involvement of the three Principal Response Agencies and the principal

emergency services in sharing information

Ensuring involvement of the other organisations, who may be requested to

respond, in co-ordination activities and arrangements

Ensuring that mandated co-ordination decisions are made promptly and

communicated to all involved

Ensuring that site management issues are addressed and decided

Ensuring that Public Information messages and Media briefings are co-ordinated and

implemented

Ensuring that pre-arranged communication links are put in place and operating

Operating the generic Information Management System

Ensuring that the ownership of the lead agency is reviewed, and modified as

appropriate

15 Section 5.4.2, A Framework for Major Emergency Management, 2006 http://mem.ie/wp-

content/uploads/2015/05/A-Framework-For-Major-Emergency-Management.pdf 16 Section 5.4.3, A Framework for Major Emergency Management, 2006 http://mem.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/A-Framework-For-Major-Emergency-Management.pdf 17 ibid

http://mem.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/A-Framework-For-Major-Emergency-Management.pdf


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Ensuring that all aspects of the management of the incident are dealt with before the

response is stood down

Ensuring that a report on the co-ordination function is prepared in respect of the

emergency after it is stood down, and circulated (first as a draft) to the other services

which attended.

With responsibility for co-ordination comes a mandate for decision making, as set out in

Section 5.4.418 of the Framework. The purpose of this mandate is to make explicit the

decisions that need to be made at the appropriate level and to define how decisions are to

be arrived at quickly. Associated with this empowerment is the need for individuals holding

key roles to hear the views of colleagues in Principal Response Agencies and to use the

Information Management System as part of the decision making process. The decision

making mandate does not empower unilateral decision making until the views of the other

agencies have been heard and considered.

Where the HSE is assigned the lead agency role, the responsibilities involved will be

discharged:

At the site, by the National Ambulance Service, on behalf of the HSE, supported by

public health if required

At the Local Co-ordination Centre, by the CO or designate on behalf of the HSE

7.7 Public Information

During a Major Emergency situation it will be crucial for the Principal Response Agencies to

provide timely and accurate information to the public. This will be especially important for

members of the public who may perceive themselves and their families to be at risk and who

are seeking information on the actions which may be taken to protect themselves and their

families.

Initial public information messages will be issued by the On-Site Co-ordination Group but,

once the Local Co-ordination Group has met, it will take over the task of co-ordinating the

provision of public information. Public information may be disseminated by means of local

and national media outlets - help lines, web pages, Social Media and automatic text

messaging. This activity should be co-ordinated on behalf of the Local Co-ordination Group

by the lead agency and will be in accordance with the areas Interagency Public

Communications plan.

7.7.1 Role of HSE – Public Information

In emergency situations where there is a real or perceived threat to the health of individuals

or the general public, the HSE, and in particular the Public Health Service, can play a crucial

role in the development of appropriate advice, information and reassurance for both

18 Section 5.4.4, A Framework for Major Emergency Management, 2006 http://mem.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/A-Framework-For-Major-Emergency-Management.pdf

40

individuals and communities. To this end, it is important that the appropriate specialists

within the HSE are notified and consulted at the earliest opportunity, so that their input to

public information messages can be optimised. The quality of the public health medical

advice is dependent on the accuracy of the information provided to them to feed into the risk

assessment.

7.8 The Media

The West Interagency Region has an Interagency Public Communications Plan – Media

Liaison. Each of these plans follows a standard template outlining the Regions arrangements

for communications during a Major Emergency. These are detailed under the following

headings:

Section 1: Introduction to the plan

Section 2: Response

Section 3: Roles and Responsibilities

Section 4: Information Processing

Section 5: Stand Down and Protocols

APPENDICES including Directory of Contacts

All Communications processes during a major emergency will follow the Interagency Public

Communications Plan. Please see Appendix 15.11 for West Interagency Public

Communications Plan

7.9 Site Management Arrangements

These will be as per the MEM Framework and as set out in section 7.9.2.19

7.9.1 Actions of First Officer Attending

The first National Ambulance Service Crew/Manager to arrive at the site will, de facto, have

the role of HSE Controller of Operations at the scene until relieved. The immediate

concerns and actions of this officer, in addition to specific National Ambulance Service

issues, should include:

Continuing to gather information on the extent of the incident;

Providing information on the emergency to NAS National Emergency Operations

Centre, for distribution to the Area 2 CMT and other relevant health service

managers and facilities;

19 Section 7.9.2, A Framework for Major Emergency Management, 2006 http://mem.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/A-Framework-For-Major-Emergency-Management.pdf

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Meeting with the other Controllers of Operations to agree on the lead agency and,

therefore, the On-Site Co-ordinator; and

Establishing inter-agency communication links.

The first ambulance vehicle that arrives at the scene will become the HSE Control Point,

until the Controller of Operations declares otherwise; a dedicated incident command vehicle

may take over the control function when it arrives. The Controller of Operations should

ensure that, where possible, the HSE Control Point is co-located with the Control Points of

the other emergency services to form the initial Site Control Point.

The Ambulance that acts as the HSE Control Point will be the only ambulance that has a

blue warning beacon illuminated. All other ambulance vehicles will turn off their blue lights to

facilitate easy identification of the control vehicle.

7.9.2 General Site Management Arrangements

An initial important task of the HSE Controller of Operations, in association with the other

two Controllers, is to match the components of the typical Site Plan, set out in Figure 7.1,

with the terrain of the Major Emergency. Once agreed, the resulting Site Management Plan

should be disseminated for implementation, to all responding organisations.

Figure 7.1 Typical Site Management Arrangements

The Body Holding Area and the Holding Areas of the responding services can be located on

Figure 7.1 above. A Traffic Cordon is used to prevent congestion at and around the site and

thereby ensure the free passage of emergency response vehicles into and out of the site.

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HSE staff should only attend the scene when deployed by their service.

7.9.3 Control of Access

In order to control access to a Major Emergency site, cordons should be established as

quickly as possible, to facilitate the operations of the emergency services, to protect the

public and to protect evidence.

Depending on the terrain involved, An Garda Síochána, in consultation with the On-Site Co-

ordination Group, will establish up to three cordons, including an Inner Cordon, an Outer

Cordon and a Traffic Cordon.

In general, an Inner Cordon is used to define the area where the emergency services work

to rescue casualties and survivors and deal with the substance of the emergency. An Outer

Cordon is used to define an area, between the Inner and Outer Cordons, where the Site

Control Point, the On-Site Co-ordination Centre, the Casualty Clearing Station, the

Ambulance Loading Area, the Body Holding Area and the Holding Areas of the responding

services can be located. A Traffic Cordon is used to prevent congestion at and around the

site and thereby ensure the free passage of emergency response vehicles into and out of

the site.

7.9.4 Danger Area

A Danger Area may be declared where there is a definite risk to rescue personnel, over and

above that which would normally pertain at emergency operations. This risk could arise

because of danger posed by the release of hazardous materials, buildings in danger of

further collapse, the threat of explosion, or the presence of an armed individual. In such a

situation, the On-Site Co-ordination Group may decide to declare a Danger Area and may

designate an officer, appropriate for the circumstances (e.g., Senior Fire Officer at the Site),

to define the boundaries of, and control access to, the Danger Area.

7.9.5 Identification

All uniformed personnel, responding to the site of a Major Emergency, should wear the

prescribed uniform, including high visibility and safety clothing, issued by their agency.

Officers who are acting in key roles, such as the Controller of Operations, should wear the

appropriate tabards, which in the case of the HSE has a green and white chequered pattern

and the words “HSE Controller”. The corresponding tabards for the other Principal Response

Agencies are as follows: Local Authority, red and white with “Local Authority Controller” and

An Garda Síochána, blue and white with “Garda Controller”.

When the lead agency has been determined, the On-Site Co-ordinator should don distinctive

tabards with the words “On-Site Co-ordinator”, clearly visible, front and back. Where non

uniformed HSE personnel are required to respond to the site of a Major Emergency, they

should wear a high visibility jacket, appropriately colour coded for the HSE, with their

job/function clearly displayed both front and back.

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7.9.6 Helicopters

Helicopters may be used at the site of a Major Emergency to provide aerial reconnaissance,

to ferry people or equipment to the site, to remove casualties or to transport them to distant

facilities. However, the use of helicopters has to be integrated into the overall site

management arrangements to avoid having a negative impact on operations on the ground.

The On-Site Co-ordinator will, in consultation with the other Controller of Operations,

determine if, and for what purpose, helicopter support should be mobilised to the site and the

preferred Landing Zone(s) for them. No helicopters should travel to the site of a major

emergency unless mobilised through this arrangement.

7.9.7 Air Exclusion Zone

Where the Principal Response Agencies consider it appropriate and beneficial, the On-Site

Co-ordinator may request, through An Garda Síochána, that an Air Exclusion Zone be

declared around the emergency site by the Irish Aviation Authority. When a restricted zone

above and around the site is declared, it is promulgated by means of a “Notice to Airmen –

NOTAM” – from the Irish Aviation Authority.

7.10 Mobilising Additional Resources

7.10.1 General

During the response to a Major Emergency, the HSE may need to mobilise additional

resources and this can be achieved either by:

Activating resources from parts of HSE, which are not primarily involved in the Major Emergency

Mobilising assistance from other organisations;

Seeking national/international assistance as appropriate.

In certain circumstances, the HSE may request assistance from private healthcare facilities in the locality .

7.10.2 HSE Resources

In the event of a Major Emergency, the various services involved, including the National

Ambulance Service and the Acute Hospitals Division may be in a position to activate

44

resources from other Areas to provide appropriate support, which are not primarily involved

in the emergency. This process can be facilitated and augmented by the Area 2 CMT.

7.10.3 The Defence Forces

The Defence Forces can provide a significant support role in a major emergency response.

The Defence Forces capabilities can be employed across a wide spectrum of activity in a

major emergency. However, these capabilities are primarily deployed in a military role at

home and in peace support operations overseas and their deployment in a major emergency

situation may require a lead in time to facilitate redeployment. All requests for Defence

Force assistance by the HSE should be normally be channelled through An Garda

Síochána. The Area 2 CMT can make a request directly for Defence Force assistance using

the standard “aid to the civil authority” request format. (Appendix 15.7 and 15.8)

7.10.4 Links with Voluntary Emergency Services

The following table shows the links between the PRAs and the Voluntary Emergency

Services.

Table 7.1. Principal Response Agencies with Linked VES

Principal Response Agency Linked Voluntary Emergency

Service

An Garda Síochána Irish Mountain Rescue Association

Irish Cave Rescue Association

Search and Rescue Dogs

Sub-Aqua Teams

Coast Guard

RNLI

Health Service Executive Irish Red Cross

Order of Malta Ireland

St. John Ambulance Brigade

Local Authority Civil Defence

Each Principal Response Agency with a linked Voluntary Emergency Services is responsible

for the mobilisation of that service and their integration into the overall response. The

mobilisation of the VES by the HSE will be coordinated through National Emergency

Operations Centre (NEOC). The internal command of each volunteer organisation resides

with that organisation.

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7.10.5 Utilities

Utilities are frequently involved in the response to emergencies, usually to assist the

Principal Response Agencies in making situations safe. They may also be directly involved

in restoring their own services, for example, electricity supply in the aftermath of a storm.

Utilities operate under their own legislative and regulatory frameworks but, during the

response to an emergency, they need to liaise with the On-Site Co-coordinator. Utilities may

be requested to provide representatives and/or experts to the On-Site Co-ordination Group,

the Local Coordination Group and/or the Regional Co-ordination Group, as appropriate.

Private sector organisations may be involved in a major emergency through ownership of the

site where the emergency has occurred or through ownership of some element involved in

the emergency e.g. an aircraft, bus, factory, etc. They may also be called on to assist in the

response to a major emergency, by providing specialist services and/or equipment. Private

sector representatives and/or experts may be requested to support the work of the On-Site

Co-ordination Group, the Local Co-ordination Group and/or the Regional Co-ordination

Group, as appropriate.

7.10.6 National, International Assistance

Where resources that are controlled at a national level are required, as part of the

management of the incident, requests for those resources should be directed by the lead

agency to the Lead Government Department.

Any decision to seek assistance from outside the state should be made by the lead agency,

in association with the other Principal Response Agencies, at the Local Coordination Centre.

The Local Co-ordination Group should identify and dimension the level/type of assistance

likely to be required and its duration.

In the event of a major public health incident, public health will notify the AND Health

Protection for any additional resources required. In addition, the public health service in

Ireland has a contract with Public Health England – Centre for Radiation, Chemicals and

Environmental Hazards (PHE-CRCE) to provide 24/7 advice and support. The European

Community has established a Community Mechanism to facilitate the provision of assistance

between the member states in the event of major emergencies. The chair of the

Local/Regional Coordination Group should make requests for such assistance to the

National Liaison Officer in the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local

Government.

7.11 Casualty and Survivor Arrangements

7.11.1 General

The primary objective of any response to a Major Emergency is to provide effective

arrangements for the rescue, care, treatment and rehabilitation of all of the individuals who

are affected by the emergency. While the HSE is not a primary rescue service, it has

responsibility for the transport and treatment of injured persons, once they have been

rescued.

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7.11.2 Casualties

Once casualties have been rescued or found, they will be assessed or triaged as quickly as

possible. Triage is a dynamic process of assessing casualties and deciding the priority of

their treatment, including a two stage process of triage sieve and triage sort. Following initial

triage, casualties will normally be labeled, using Triage Cards, and moved to a Casualty

Clearing Station. The purpose of this labeling is to indicate the triage category of the

casualty, to facilitate the changing of that category, if required, and to record any treatment,

procedure or medication administered. A standard card with Red (Immediate), Yellow,

(Urgent), Green (Minor) and White (Dead) sections is normally used for this purpose.

The National Ambulance Service, in consultation with the HSE Controller of Operations and

the Site Medical Officer will establish a Casualty Clearing Station at the site, where

casualties will be collected, further triaged, treated, as necessary, and prepared for transport

to hospital. The HSE Controller will, in consultation with the Site Medical Officer and the

relevant hospitals, decide on the hospital(s), to which casualties are to be brought, the

Receiving Hospital(s), and, on the basis of their condition, the distance and the capacity of

available hospitals. In the event of a protracted incident, with significant numbers of

casualties, the Area 2 CMT may become involved in this process.

7.11.3 Fatalities

The bodies of Casualties, which have been triaged as dead, should not be moved from the

incident site unless this is necessary to affect the rescue of other casualties or to prevent

them being lost or damaged. The recovery of the dead and human remains is part of an

evidence recovery process and, as such, is the responsibility of An Garda Síochána, acting

as agents of the Coroner. [See Appendix 15.5 the role of the Coroner.]

The On-Site Co-ordinator, in association with the other Controllers, will decide if it is

necessary to establish a Body Holding Area at the site. This Body Holding Area, if

established, will be situated close to the Casualty Clearing Station.

An On - Site Body Holding Area is not an appropriate place for the prolonged storage of

dead bodies. These will be moved as soon as possible to an appropriate mortuary. However,

in any Major Emergency involving a large number of fatalities, it is likely that a Temporary

Mortuary will be required. The decision to establish a Temporary Mortuary will be made by

the Local Co-ordination Group in consultation with the Coroner. The provision of such a

Temporary Mortuary is the responsibility of the Local Authority. The West Interagency region

has specific arrangements outlined in their “Mass Fatality Protocols” A copy of these

protocols are available from the Emergency Management Office by request.

7.11.4 Survivors

In certain circumstances, the On-Site Co-ordinator, in conjunction with the other Controllers,

may decide that a Survivor Reception Centre is required. All those who have survived the

incident uninjured will be directed to this location, where their details will be documented and

collated by An Garda Síochána. The Local Authority is responsible for the establishment

and running of such centers.

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7.11.5 Casualty Bureau

In the event of a major emergency involving significant numbers of casualties, An Garda

Síochána will establish a Casualty Bureau to collect and collate the details (including

condition and location) of all casualties and survivors. As part of this process, a Casualty

Liaison Officer or team will normally be sent by An Garda Síochána to each Receiving

Hospital where casualties are being treated. All potential Receiving Hospitals have

arrangements in place to facilitate An Garda Síochána in this process. (Appendix 15.5 Garda

Casualty Bureau)

7.11.6 Friends’ and Relatives’ Reception Centers

Some incidents may warrant the establishment of Friends’ and Relatives’ Reception Centers

at appropriate locations associated with the emergency, as well as at the hospitals where the

injured are being treated. All potential Receiving Hospitals have arrangements in place to

establish and staff a Friends’ and Relatives’ Reception Centre outlined in their Major

Emergency Plans.

7.11.7 Non-National Casualties

It is possible that some Major Emergencies may involve significant numbers of casualties

from other jurisdictions and it is important that provision is made for any resulting issues of

language and culture differences. All potential Receiving Hospitals have arrangements in

place to secure translators and to deal, as far as practical, with cultural sensitivities.

7.11.8 Pastoral Care

The On-Site Co-ordinator has responsibility for ensuring that, where appropriate, pastoral

services are mobilised to the site and facilitated by the Principal Response Agencies in their

work with casualties and survivors. Similarly, individual hospitals have arrangements for the

provision of pastoral services.

7.11.9 Psycho-Social Care

It is generally recognised that being involved in abnormal, traumatic events, such as occur at

major emergencies, can cause serious but normal stress reactions for the individuals

involved. Those affected can include those who are injured, those who are involved with the

event but not physically injured, persons who witness aspects of the emergency, individuals

involved in rescue and recovery, including volunteers, as well as many other individuals

involved in the response, such as those working with bodies, with severely injured casualties

and with bereaved families. It is accepted that the provision of practical help and information

as well as social, emotional and psychological support, frequently referred to as psycho-

social support, to such individuals is an important objective of any emergency response. The

HSE will provide psycho-social support, as appropriate, to all members of staff who are

involved in a major emergency.

The HSE also has responsibility for the provision of psycho-social support to members of the

public who may be affected by an emergency. The HSE Controller of Operations at the site

and the relevant Area 2 CMT, in consultation with colleagues from the other Principal

48

Response Agencies, will establish the likely nature, dimensions, priorities and optimum

locations for the delivery of any psycho-social support that may be required in the aftermath

of a major emergency. Leadership in this area will be provided by the Director of

Psychology .

7.12 Emergencies Involving Hazardous Materials

Hazardous material incidents pose specific issues for the principal emergency services and

for that reason, special arrangements are required. These incidents can occur either

because of deliberate or accidental events. The Local Authority is the lead agency for

response to normal hazardous material incidents, with the exception of those involving

biological agents, where the HSE is the lead agency.

7.12.1 Lead Agency

The On-Site Co-ordinator, in association with the other Controllers of Operations, will

establish the need for decontamination. Public health can advise on the appropriate

decontamination method. The preferred decontamination method is:

Disrobe

Dry decontamination is the default decontamination method

Wet decontamination for caustic substances / or where biological or radiological

exposure is identified

The HSE has responsibility for providing clinical decontamination and medical treatment to

casualties affected by hazardous materials. The fire services have responsibility for

providing other forms of physical decontamination of persons at the site. The HSE will be

responsible for decontamination where required to protect health service facilities, such as

hospitals, from secondary contamination. Where emergency decontamination of the public is

required, the fire service may use its fire-fighter decontamination facilities, or improvised

equipment may be used prior to the arrival of dedicated equipment. Where persons have to

undergo this practice it should be carried out under the guidance of medical personnel. It

should be noted that emergency decontamination carries risks for vulnerable groups, such

as the elderly and the injured.

The On-Site Co-ordinator will take the decision on how best to protect a threatened

population, after consultation with the other Controllers of Operations. This protection is

usually achieved by moving people temporarily to a safe area, by evacuation where

appropriate or feasible, or by advising affected individuals to take shelter in an appropriate

place Details of procedures for warning and informing the public are contained in the West

Interagency Public Communications Plan (Appendix 15.11).

7.12.2 Suspect CBRN Incidents

Where terrorist involvement is suspected, An Garda Síochána will act as the lead agency.

The Defence Forces, when requested, will assist An Garda Síochána in an Aid to the Civil

49

Power role with Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams. Public health inputs into the Joint

Threats Analysis where a credible CBRN threat cannot be discounted.

Details of specific actions to be taken in the event of a suspect CBRN incident are

contained in the Protocol for Multi-Agency Response to Suspect Chemical and Biological

Agents arising from terrorist activity.

7.12.3 Biological Incidents

Contaminated casualties pose a particular problem for the HSE, since, although

decontamination facilities may be mobilised to the site, there is a strong possibility that

contaminated individuals may present independently at local hospitals, with a consequential

threat to the health and safety of staff and the capacity of the facility to continue to receive

further casualties and to treat existing patients. In this situation, it is critically important that

casualties are directed and health service decontamination resources are deployed in a

manner which is not only the optimum for the treatment of casualties but also protects health

service facilities and staff from contamination. Consultation and co-ordination between the

HSE Controller of Operations, the Area 2 CMT and the management of Receiving Hospitals

is vital to the achievement of this aim.

Where it is thought that casualties may have been contaminated with a biological substance,

public health is responsible for arranging chemoprophylaxis of those exposed. The details

from the Casualty Information Forms should be provided to public health to facilitate this

process.

7.12.4 Infectious Diseases Outbreaks

Details of specific actions to be taken in the event of an outbreak will be mandated by the

Department of Public Health. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) will provide

advice and guidance. Under MOH legislation public health can take whatever steps are

required to control outbreaks.

7.12.5 Nuclear Incidents

Details of specific actions to be taken in the event of an activation of the National

Emergency Plan for Nuclear Accidents are detailed in the Protocol for Multi-Agency

Response to Radiological/ Nuclear Emergencies.

7.13 Protecting Threatened Populations

The scale and nature of a Major Emergency will determine whether evacuation of the public

from a particular area is necessary, or whether they should be advised to remain indoors for

shelter.

It is the responsibility of the local authorities to provide Rest Centers for evacuated

populations.

It is the responsibility for local authorities to provide mortuary facilities for the dead.

50

When decided upon, the process of evacuation will be undertaken by An Garda Síochána,

with the assistance of the other services.

The Garda Controller of Operations at the scene in consultation with the HSE and Local

Authority will be responsible for ordering and effecting the evacuation. The extent and

duration of the evacuation will be based on the advice received. The principle that the

estimated duration of the evacuation should be considered before evacuation is

implemented should be adhered to as far as possible.

Emergency Accommodation is identified in the relevant local authority’s major emergency

plan.

Additional guidance on evacuation is provided in A Guide to Managing an Evacuation20.

The role of the Public Health Service in protecting threatened populations in regard to

infection control or adverse effects of environmental issues both acute and long-term is

significant. Contact details of those potentially exposed to hazardous material should be

provided to public health to allow them to complete follow up surveillance and monitoring if

indicated.

The Director of Public Health/ 333 in Public Health Medicine as MOH will exercise control in

these circumstances through existing structures and via the Area 2 CMT.

7.14 Early and Public Warning Systems

An early warning system for severe weather is currently in place for Severe Weather

forecasts. This is a 24 hour service provided by Met Éireann. During a Major Emergency

there may be a need for the site or Local Co-ordination Group to inform the public of a

current or threatened situation or of a possible evacuation. Please refer to Section 11.1 of

this document.

Other such warning systems are in place for Flooding, detailed in the Flood Response Plans,

Water contamination etc

Major Emergency Warnings -During a Major Emergency, it may be necessary to inform and

warn the public of a current or threatened situation which may result in the need for some

action, for example, evacuation.

Methods of Dissemination

Warnings may be disseminated to the public by use of some or all of the following methods:

Door to Door

Radio and T.V. broadcasting

Local helpline / information line

Web services and internet services

20 A Framework for Emergency Management – Guidance Document 6 - A Guide to Managing Evacuation and Rest Centres,

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51

Social Media

Automated Text services

Establish site specific warning systems

The detail of how this is implemented is detailed the West Interagency Public

Communications Plan (Appendix 15.11).

7.15 Emergencies arising on Inland Waterways

The HSE National Ambulance Service may be asked by an Garda Síochána or the Coast

Guard to assist in emergencies arising on inland waterways. They will normally do this by

providing Ambulances and personnel to a pre-arranged location. It is important to note that

HSE National Ambulance Service personnel are not equipped or trained to deal with

emergencies involving search and rescue of casualties involved in emergencies on inland

waterways.

7.16 Safety, Health and Welfare Considerations

The scene of a major emergency normally results from a dangerous occurrence and may,

depending on the circumstances be an area of serious, imminent and unavoidable danger.

HSE employees and voluntary agencies acting under their control, in this instance are

engaged in activity relating to a civil emergency.

Every member of the HSE and voluntary agencies acting under their control shall ensure, so

far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of his or her follow

workers.

In particular the HSE controller at the scene shall as far as is reasonably practicable ensure

that in the course of the work being carried by individuals under their control are not

unnecessarily exposed to risks to their safety, health or welfare.

The controller at the scene will make an initial assessment of the risks presented by the

hazards observed at the scene. It is important that the controller maintains a dynamic risk

assessment process and may if he or she determines it is necessary designate a specific

person to act in this role and advise on health and safety considerations.

If it is advised that there is serious and imminent deterioration in the hazards at the scene

the controller of operations shall take action and give instructions to enable personnel to

immediately leave the danger area and to proceed to a safe place.

In as far as is reasonably practicable the HSE controller of operations at the scene will

ensure that the HSE staff and voluntary agencies acting under their control have training,

including, in particular, information and instructions relating to the specific task to be

performed.

Each member of the HSE and voluntary agencies acting under their control must as far is

reasonably possible comply with relevant safety and health instructions, wear appropriate

personal protective clothing where necessary cooperate with the controller of operations,

52

look out for one another, and not do anything which would place themselves or others at

risk.

They must not be under the influence of an intoxicant at the scene to the extent that the

state he or she is in is likely to endanger his or her own safety, health or welfare or that of

any other person.

In a protracted incident consideration must be given to the organisation of time spent

working at the scene and adequate rest periods must be taken into consideration both by the

controllers at the scene and those engaged in the response to the incident.

Command support arrangements at the scene should assign responsibility for the oversight and management of the safety of rescue personnel

Danger Area On arrival at the site, the HSE Controller of Operations should establish from the On-

Site Co-ordinator (or the other two Controllers, where the On-Site Co-ordinator has

not yet been designated) if a Danger Area has been defined and, if so, what

particular safety provisions may apply. This issue should be kept under constant

review by the On-site Co-ordinator and supporting Controller of Operations.

Where there is a definite risk to personnel, over and above that which would normally

pertain at emergency operations, a Danger Area may be declared. This risk could

arise because of dangers posed by the release of hazardous materials, buildings in

danger of further collapse, the threat of explosion or the presence of an armed

individual. Any HSE Officer/ Responder who was aware of such additional risks

should bring them to the attention of the On-Site Co-ordinator via the HSE Controller

of Operations.

Where it is necessary that HSE personnel continue to operate in a Danger Area, they

should apply normal incident and safety management arrangements, and relevant

officers should continue to exercise command /control over HSE personnel working

in the Danger Area.

Where a situation deteriorates to a point where the officer in charge of the Danger

Area decides that it is necessary to withdraw response personnel from a Danger

Area, a signal, comprising repeated sounding of a siren for ten seconds on, ten

seconds off, will be given. All personnel should withdraw from the Danger Area on

hearing this signal.

7.17 Logistical Issues/ Protracted Incidents

Arrangements for Rotation of Staff etc. at the Site(s)

During protracted emergencies it is important that front line field staff are relieved and

rotated at regular intervals, particularly in situations which increase the stress on responders,

for example, extreme heat or cold. The provision of relief staff, to replace those who have

been on duty for some time, is a matter for discussion and agreement between the support

staff of the HSE Controller at the Site, Ambulance Control and the Area 2 CMT.

Hospital arrangements are contained in the relevant hospital plan.

The Local Authority is responsible for the provisions of appropriate rest and refreshment facilities for all response personnel at the site(s) of a major emergency,

53

as well as for survivors. These facilities may include the provision of food and drink, rest facilities and sanitary facilities.

7.18 Investigations

An Garda Síochána is responsible for carrying out investigations when a crime has been identified in a Major Emergency.

The scene of a suspected crime will be preserved by An Garda Síochána until a complete and thorough examination has been made. An Garda Síochána will need to obtain evidence of the highest possible standard and will require that all evidence is left in situ, unless a threat to life or health prevents this. Statements may be required from the staff of other Principal Response Agencies regarding their involvement.

Subsequent investigations by An Garda Síochána will be carried out in accordance with best policies and the Garda Code.

Other parties with statutory investigation roles

Depending on the nature of the Major Emergency, agencies other than An Garda Síochána may require access to the site for the purposes of carrying out an investigation. These agencies include the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

All HSE employees are requested to co-operate fully with all statutory investigations and to ensure that, unless a threat to life or health prevents this, all evidence is left undisturbed

7.19 Community/ VIPs/ Observers

7.19.1 Community Links

Where communities are affected by a Major Emergency, the Principal Response Agencies,

operating within the Local Co-ordination Group, will make every effort to establish

contact/links with the relevant communities, utilising established links or developing new

ones as appropriate.

7.19.2 Visiting VIPs

All requests for visits to the site, or facilities associated with it should be referred to the Local

Co-ordination Group. Requests for visits to HSE locations, such as the hospitals where

casualties are being treated, should be referred to the Area 2 CMT.

Visits by dignitaries usually require extra security arrangements and liaison with the media.

It is important that the organisation of such visits does not distract from the response effort.

As a general rule, VIPs should be advised not to visit sites where danger still exists or where

on-going rescues are in progress.

7.19.3 National/International Observers

54

Requests may be received from national and/or international observers who may wish to

observe the response operations. The presence of experts from other regions or

jurisdictions, who wish to act as observers at an incident, can greatly enhance the operation

of debriefings and facilitate the process of learning lessons from an emergency. The Local

Co-ordination Group will normally make arrangements for any such observers. However,

specific health related observers may be facilitated by the Area 2 CMT.

7.20 Standing-Down the Major Emergency

7.20.1 Stand-Down at the Site

The decision to stand-down the Major Emergency status of an incident at the site will be

taken by the On-Site Co-ordinator, in consultation with the other Controllers of Operations at

the site and the Local Co-ordination Group. It is important to note that a great deal of activity

may continue (for example, at hospitals, the temporary mortuary, etc.) after the Major

Emergency is stood down at the site.

Each HSE service, department and hospital has a stand down procedure included in the

relevant mobilisation action card. The Area 2 CMT has the responsibility of issuing the

appropriate stand down instructions. These instructions will vary with the service,

department or hospital depending on the requirement and may not apply to all elements of

the HSE simultaneously and therefore all HSE personnel are instructed to only act on a

stand-down instruction issued via the same communications route through which

mobilisation or activation was received.

7.20.2 Stand-Down of HSE

As the situation is brought under control and casualties leave the site, the HSE Controller of

Operations should review the resources on the site and reduce/ stand-down these

resources, in light of the changing situation. The Controller should ensure that, where other

organisations have been mobilised to the site by the HSE, these should be informed of the

decision to stand them down; likewise, services operating at other locations. The On-Site

Co-ordinator should be consulted before any service is stood down by the HSE. Each HSE

service involved in the response must be stood down by the Senior Manager of the Service,

Services may Stand Down at different times depending on the demand of their element to

the response.

7.20.3 Operational debriefing and reporting activity

Each HSE Service which is involved in a response to a Major Emergency should carry out

an operational debriefing of its involvement and document this debriefing in a report to the

Regional Emergency Management Steering Group. The Regional Emergency Management

Steering Group should review these reports and prepare a composite report to reflect the

overall involvement of the HSE.

The HSE should also engage with the other Principal Response Agencies in a review of the

inter-agency co-ordination aspects of the response. This review should be hosted by the

lead agency and should involve all services which were part of the response. A composite

report should be compiled by the Principal Response Agency which was the initial lead

55

agency for submission, within a reasonable time scale, to the relevant Regional Interagency

Steering Group and the National Interagency Steering Group.

The purpose of the above reviews should be to formulate lessons learned from the incident

and the resulting reports should highlight these.

56

Section 8 Agency Specific Elements and Sub-Plans

This Plan has a series of supporting plans from;

The National Ambulance Service

The Acute Hospitals Division

CHO Areas

These plans are listed in Appendix 15.2

57

Section 9 Plan for Regional Level Co-ordination

9.1 Introduction In some situations where a major emergency has been declared and the Major Emergency Plans of the Principal Response Agencies have been activated, it may be appropriate to consider scaling up from a local response to a regional level response. This may occur when the resources available in the local area where the incident has happened do not appear to be sufficient to bring the situation under control in an expeditious and efficient manner; or the consequences of the emergency are likely to impact significantly outside of the local area; or the incident(s) is spread across more than one Local Authority or Division of An Garda Síochána; or the incident occurs at or close to a boundary of several of the Principal Response Agencies.

9.2 Regional Response 9.2.1 Decision to Scale up to a Regional Level Response The decision to scale up from a local to a regional level response will be taken by the chair of the Local Co-ordination Group, in consultation with the chair of the On-Site Co-coordinating Group and the other members of the Local Co-ordination Group. This consultation may occur at a meeting of the Local Co-ordination Group, where such a group is in session or, alternatively, by means of a telephone conference call. This decision will, by definition, involve specifying those extra Principal Response Agencies which are to be involved in the regional response. Note: In many Major Emergency situations, neighboring Garda Divisions, HSE Areas and Local Authorities will provide support and resources to the Garda Division, HSE Area and Local Authority, which are primarily involved in the response. Such support is not equivalent to the activation of the Plan for Regional Level Co-ordination and, in fact, will often precede the activation of the regional plan.

9.2.2 Response Region The areas covered by the Principal Response Agencies which are activated under the Plan for Regional Level Co-ordination will constitute the response region for the emergency. Note: The response region for a regional level major emergency need not coincide (and in many cases will not coincide) with one of the predetermined Major Emergency Management Regions set out in Appendix F421 of the Framework. In situations where more than one principal response agency from a particular service is represented at the site, Appendix F722 makes it clear that there will be only one Controller of Operations from that service and the unit from which the Controller of Operations will come should be determined in accordance with the guidance provided in Appendix F723

21 Appendix F4, A Framework for Major Emergency Management Appendices, 2006 http://mem.ie/wp-

content/uploads/2015/05/A-Framework-For-Major-Emergency-Management-Appendices.pdf 22 Appendix F7, A Framework for Major Emergency Management Appendices, 2006 http://mem.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/A-Framework-For-Major-Emergency-Management-Appendices.pdf 23 ibid

http://mem.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/A-Framework-For-Major-Emergency-Management-Appendices.pdf




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9.2.3 Activation Once the decision has been taken, the chair of the Local Co-ordination Group will declare that a regional level emergency exists and will activate the Plan for Regional Level Co-ordination by:

Notifying each of the Principal Response Agencies involved that the Plan for Regional Level Co-ordination has been activated;

Requesting that each of the Principal Response Agencies, which has not already activated its MEM Plan, should do so;

Delivering an information message to each Principal Response Agency using the mnemonic METHANE; and

Providing each of the Principal Response Agencies involved with a list of the agencies which are being activated to form the regional response

9.3 Command Control and Co-ordination of Response

Command and Control Arrangements on Site The command and control arrangements at the site(s) of a regional major emergency will be the same as those for a standard major emergency including:

Three Controllers of Operation;

A lead agency determined in accordance with the Framework24; and

An On-Site Coordinating Group

An On-Site Co-ordinator

The Regional Co-ordination Group The mobilisation and operation of the Regional Co-ordination Group will be as per the arrangement for Local Co-ordination Groups set out in 5.4.5.225 in the Framework Document. Regional Co-ordination Group arrangements for

The mobilisation of other organizations /agencies

Requesting mutual aid from neighbours

Requesting national/international assistance where required

Dealing with multi site or wide area emergencies

24 A Framework for Major Emergency Management, 2006 http://mem.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/A-Framework-For-Major-Emergency-Management.pdf 25 Section 5.4.5.2, A Framework for Major Emergency Management, 2006 http://mem.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/A-Framework-For-Major-Emergency-Management.pdf





59

Linkage to national emergency plans

Links with Government

Support for chairs by Information Managers, etc and communication arrangements

with the site and with other groups will be as for a Local Co-ordination Group.

9.4 Wide Area Major Emergencies Some Major Emergency events (e.g. severe storms, extensive flooding and/or blizzards) may impact over a wide area and, in such a situation; a number of Local Co-ordination Groups may be activated. Where the chair of a Local Co-ordination Group, which has been activated in response to a major emergency, becomes aware that one or more other Local Co-ordination Groups have also been activated, contact should be made with the other chair(s) with a view to considering the establishment of a Regional Co-ordination Centre. Such a Regional Co-ordination Centre will normally be located at the Local Co-ordination Centre which, in the view of the chairs, is best positioned (in terms of resources, communications and geography) to co-ordinate the activity of the different Local Co-ordination Groups which are active. In such a situation, these Local Co-ordination Groups will continue to act as per standard arrangements and will communicate with the Regional Co-ordination Centre through their chairs. Note: During a wide area Major Emergency, each Local Co-ordination Group will be in

contact with the lead Government Department (in accordance with Section 5.4.5.526 of the

Framework) and, in such a situation, the decision on whether the activities of a number of

Local Co-ordination Groups should be co-ordinated via a Regional Co-ordination Centre or

via the lead Government Department will be taken in light of the prevailing circumstances.,

The HSE at a national level, or another national body, may request the activation of this Plan

and call upon HSE Areas to assist in responding to, or to perform its normal function/role

arising from, a national level emergency.

The envisaged role could include:

Monitoring and/or reporting on the impact of the emergency in the HSE Area

Undertaking pre-assigned roles in a National Emergency Plan

Undertaking relevant tasks following an emergency/crisis or Acting as a

communications and co-ordination conduit

All communications from relevant national bodies should be directed to the Chair of the CMT

or his/her designated alternate

When a request is received from a national body in the context of a national emergency, the

CMT will be activated and will co-ordinate the appropriate activities of HSE.

26 Section 5.4.5.5, A Framework for Major Emergency Management, 2006 http://mem.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/A-

Framework-For-Major-Emergency-Management.pdf



60

This Plan may also be activated in response to a request from a Minister of Government in

light of an emergency/crisis situation.

This Plan may also be activated in response to a request from the Irish Coast Guard,

following a threatened or actual emergency in the Irish Maritime Search and Rescue Region.

61

Section 10: Links with National Emergency Plans

This Plan will normally be activated in response to a local or regional Major Emergency.

However, where a National Emergency Plan has been activated, the Department of Health

and Children will/may request the activation of this plan.

62

Section 11: Severe Weather Plans

Severe weather emergencies may involve significant threats to infrastructure and business

continuity for all HSE services in Area 2. Support may be required for vulnerable sections of

the community and HSE services/functions.

In Area 2, HSE managers have a responsibility to increase/develop the resilience of their

services/functions to mitigate against the impact Severe Weather may have on the day to

day running of their services.

To assist managers in their contingency planning for Severe Weather, a Severe Weather

checklist and associated guidance document has been developed for HSE managers. Each

manager has a responsibility to address this Severe Weather Checklist and Guidance

document version 2 October 2011 and it is available at the below link:

https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/3/emergencymanangement/severe-weather/severe-

weather-planning-guidance-for-hse-services.pdf

Each Local Authority has, as a sub plan of its Major Emergency Plan, a Plan for responding

to severe weather emergencies, whether a Major Emergency is declared or not, and Local

Co-ordination Centres may be activated to manage response to a severe weather event,

whether a Major Emergency is declared or not.

If a Local Authority activates the Local Coordination Group, the HSE will engage and the

Area 2 CMT will be activated, where appropriate and assistance will be provided in whatever

areas and by whichever services are appropriate to the situation.

Note: although these arrangements are initially directed towards storms, flooding and severe

cold, problems can also be created for vulnerable population by periods of extreme heat and

the HSE, in particular, needs to be vigilant at such times, monitoring the effect on the elderly

and other vulnerable groups.

https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/3/emergencymanangement/severe-weather/severe-weather-planning-guidance-for-hse-services.pdf

https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/3/emergencymanangement/severe-weather/severe-weather-planning-guidance-for-hse-services.pdf

63

Section 12: Site and Event Specific Arrangements and Plans

There are both legislative and procedural arrangements which require that Emergency Plans

be prepared for specific sites or events. These include internal and external Emergency

Plans for Upper-tier Seveso Establishments, Emergency Plans for airports and ports and

Emergency Plans and arrangements for major sporting and cultural events.

The Geographical Area of Community Healthcare West currently contains four Upper-tier

Seveso Establishments.

64

Section 13: The Recovery Phase

Once the response to a Major Emergency is underway and operating effectively, the HSE, in

consultation with the other Principal Response Agencies, will begin to plan for recovery. The

Framework envisages recovery as occurring in two phases – immediate recovery and long

term recovery.

The HSE will engage in this process through the Area 2 CMT and via its representatives on

the Local Co-ordination Group.

As soon as it is practical, the Area 2 CMT will nominate an individual (or group) to begin the

process of planning for the recovery phase. The principal issues for the HSE in recovery are

likely to be

Long term care and support for casualties and survivors

Long term support for relatives of casualties and survivors

Managing the conflicting demands of the emergency and the maintenance of normal services

Supporting staff who have been under great pressure

Continuing to engage with the media

Preparing for legal and quasi legal issues, such as enquiries, criminal investigation, inquests, etc.

The Area 2 CMT will continue to function through the recovery phase until the issues arising

are more appropriately dealt with by normal management processes.

65

Section 14 Review of this Plan

14.1 The Area Emergency Management Group will review this Plan on an annual basis

and amend it as necessary. This review will take place in parallel with the Annual

Appraisal of Major Emergency Preparedness. This annual review will, where

appropriate, involve consultation with the other Principal Response Agencies in the

West Interagency Region.

14.2 This Plan will also be reviewed, and amended, where necessary, in the aftermath of

any Major Emergency or exercise or where any aspect of the Plan or its activation is

considered a cause for concern.

66

Bibliography

1. A Framework for Major Emergency Management, 2006 http://mem.ie/wp-

content/uploads/2015/05/A-Framework-For-Major-Emergency-Management.pdf

2. ibid

3. Section 4.4.1, A Framework for Major Emergency Management, 2006

http://mem.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/A-Framework-For-Major-Emergency-

Management.pdf

4. Chemical Act (Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances)

Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 209 2015)

https://www.hsa.ie/eng/Your_Industry/Chemicals/Legislation_Enforcement/COMAH/SI

_209_of_2015.pdf



6. Section 4.1, A Framework for Major Emergency Management, 2006 http://mem.ie/wp-




Management.pdf

8. Appendix F3, A Framework for Major Emergency Management Appendices, 2006


Management-Appendices.pdf










12. Section 4.7, A Framework for Major Emergency Management, 2006 http://mem.ie/wp-




14. ibid

15. ibid



Management.pdf



Management.pdf

18. ibid



Management.pdf





























67



Management.pdf

21. A Framework for Emergency Management – Guidance Document 6 - A Guide to

Managing Evacuation and Rest Centres, Version 2 October 2015 http://mem.ie/wp-

content/uploads/2016/01/A_Guide_to_Evacuation_20151.pdf







24. ibid



26. Section 5.4.5.2, A Framework for Major Emergency Management, 2006


Management.pdf

27. Section 5.4.5.5, A Framework for Major Emergency Management, 2006


Management.pdf



http://mem.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/A_Guide_to_Evacuation_20151.pdf

http://mem.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/A_Guide_to_Evacuation_20151.pdf











68

Appendix 15.1 HSE Mobilisation Procedure

69

Appendix 15.2 List of Major Emergency Plans

HSE Plans

National Ambulance Service West Regional Major Emergency

Plan

Mayo University Hospital Major Emergency Plan

University Hospital Galway Major Emergency Plan

Portiuncula University Hospital Major Emergency Plan

Community Healthcare West Major Emergency Plan

HSE Residential Centre Plans

Seveso Plans

Atlantic Industries Killala Road, Ballina, Co. Mayo

Shell Gas Terminal Belmullet Co. Mayo

Colas Oranmore Co. Galway

Circle K New Docks Galway

Airport Plans

Ireland West Airport

Connemara Airport ( including Aran Island Air Strips)

Site Specific Plans

Ballybrit Race Course Site Specific Plan

70

HSE Emergency Management

Area 2

(Covering Geographical Areas of

Counties Galway, Mayo and

Roscommon)

RISK ASSESMENT

January 2020

71

Regional Risk Assessment

The Framework for Major Emergency Management 2006 outlines a 5 stage systems

continuous cycle approach to Major Emergency Management. The principal elements of this

system are

Hazard Analysis / Risk Assessment

Mitigation / Risk Management

Planning and Preparedness

Coordinated Response and

Recovery

Each principal response agency should carry out a risk assessment in accordance with

procedures outlined in Framework. The risk assessment approach is complimentary to the

principle of an “All Hazards” approach

The risk assessment process is comprised of a number of stages.

They are as follows:

1. Establishing the Context. Describing the characteristics of the former HSE West Region including the geography, populations and infrastructure of the Area.

2. Hazard Identification In this Risk Assessment document the potential hazards in the HSE West are categorised under four headings

Natural – Storms, floods etc.

Transport – Air, Road, rail, water accidents

Technological – Fire, CBRN, building collapse etc.

Civil – Crowd safety, communicable diseases etc.

3. Risk Assessment – consideration is given to the overall risks presented by the identified hazards.

4. Recording identified potential hazards on a Risk Matrix – The Risk is plotted on a specially designed graph that gives a visual context to lesser and greater risks at a glance.

72

Stage 1 Establishing the Context

The first stage of this Risk Assessment is to contextualise Risk by detailing the

geography, populations and infrastructure of the Emergency Management West

Region.

The Area 2 remit covers the counties of Galway, Mayo and Roscommon and includes a

number of “Off -Shore” inhabitated Islands. (see Appendix A) It borders other Emergency

Management Regions and the three counties comprise a total area of more than 5,500

square miles.

Acute Hospital services in Area 2 are provided by the following Hospital Group:

- Saolta University Health Care Group comprising of Mayo University Hospital ,

University Hospital Galway, Portiuncula University Hospital and Roscommon County

Hospital (and Letterkenny University Hospital and Sligo University Hospital).

The Community services are now organised into Community Health Organisations as

depicted in the map below

73

Table I Establishing the context - HSE Emergency Plan (Galway,

Mayo and Roscommon)

Social Population Centres

Population of the Region

453,109

As per 2016 census

County

Mayo

130,507

Castlebar

12,068

Disability 14%

Elderly (>65yrs) 18%

Children(<15yrs) 20%

Roscommon

64,544

Roscommon Town

5,876

Disability 14%



Galway

258,058

Galway City

78,668

Disability 13%



74

Primary Economic Drivers (Not exhaustive)

Agriculture Primarily Agricultural Region

Tourism Lough Key Forest Park, Boyle Abbey, Croagh Patrick, Knock Shrine,

Westport House, Clare Island, Cong Abbey,

Aran Islands, Connemara National Park, Salthill, Galway City.

Industry excluding Seveso Sites Ballina Beverages, Mayo

Collins Plastics, Mayo

Hollister, Mayo

Injection Moulds and Dies, Mayo

Allergan, Mayo

System Label Ltd, Roscommon

CUBIS Industries, Roscommon

Medronic Galway

Coviden Galway

Boston Scientific Galway

Ballybrit, Parkmore, Ballybane and Mervue Industrial Estates

Education National University of Ireland Galway (Approx 17,300 Students)

GMIT Castlebar (Approx 9,000 Students)

Principal Emergency Services

Health Service Executive (HSE)

Receiving Hospitals Mayo University Hospital

University College Hospital Galway

Portiuncula University Hospital Ballinasloe

Private Hospitals

Galway Clinic

Bon Secours Galway

National Ambulance Service

National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC)

Ballyshannon Tallaght

75

HSE Community Health Organisations (CHO’s) Community Healthcare West

Mayo, Galway and Roscommon

HSE Public Health

West Office

(Galway, Mayo & Roscommon)

National Ambulance Service

Ambulance Stations

Ambulance Station, Sacred Heart Hospital, Castlebar,

Co. Mayo

Ambulance Station, Mulranny, Co. Mayo.

Ambulance Station, District Hospital, Ballina, Co. Mayo

Ambulance Station, Community Hospital, Belmullet, Co.

Mayo

Ambulance Station, Sutton House, Ardasalleghbeg,

Roscommon

Ambulance Station, Plunkett Home, Boyle, Co.

Roscommon

Ambulance Station, Merlin Park University Hospital,

Galway

Ambulance Station, Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe,

Co. Galway

Ambulance Station, St. Brendan's Home, Loughrea, Co.

Galway

Ambulance Station, Aras Mac Dara, Carraroe, Co.

Galway

Ambulance Station, Loughlynn, Co Roscommon

Ambulance Station, Tuam, Co. Galway.

Ambulance Station, Clifden, Co. Galway

76

An Garda Síochána:

Mayo Division Garda Districts: Claremorris

Belmullet

Westport

Castlebar

Ballina

Roscommon/Longford Division

Garda Districts:

Castlerea

Roscommon

Galway Division

Garda Districts: Loughrea

Ballinasloe

Galway

Clifden

Salthill

Tuam

Local Authorities: Fire Service

Mayo County Council 12 Retained Stations

Roscommon County Council 6 Retained Stations

Galway City 1 Wholetime Station

Galway County Council 9 Retained Stations

Other Emergency Responders

Irish Coast Guard /RNLI

Environment HSE Area

Mayo, Roscommon and Galway

Adjacent Counties

Clare, Tipperary, Offaly, Sligo, Leitrim, Longford,

Westmeath

Infrastructure Roads See (Appendix B)

Major routes include

N17, N5, M6

Railway: (See Appendix C) Galway - Dublin

Westport – Athlone

77

Ballina – Manulla Junction

Galway – Limerick

Ports/Shipping Rossaveal

Galway Harbour

Ferries: Rossaveal to Aran Islands

Doolin to Aran Islands

Corrib Cruises (Galway, Oughterard & Cong)

Cleggan to Inishbofin

Roonah to Inishturk

Airports: Ireland West Airport (IWA)

Inverin Airport

Aran Islands (3 x Airstrips)

Galway Airport

78

Water supply Irish Water and Group Water

Schemes

Power Supply

ESB Networks Tynagh Generating Station

Gas Supply

Bord Gáis natural Pipeline

See Appendix D Map of Pipeline

Hazardous Sites

Upper Tier Seveso Sites European Refreshments t/a Ballina

Beverages/Coca Cola, Killala Road,

Ballina, Co. Mayo.

Colas (Galway) Ltd/ Atlantic BitumenLtd,

Oranmore, Galway.

Shell E&P Ireland Limited, Bellanaboy

Bridge, Bellagelly South, Barnatra, Ballina,

Co. Mayo.

Topaz Galway Terminal (CircleK), Galway

Harbour Enterprise Park, New Docks,

Galway.

Lower Tier Sites

Brooklands Gas Co. Ltd, Ballina, Co. Mayo

Calor Teo, Claremorris, Co. Mayo

Flogas Ir. Ltd, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo

Tynagh Energy Ltd, Tynagh Power Station Galway

79

Stage 2 Hazard Identification

Table 2.1 - Natural Hazards

Category Type Subtype Local Hazard

Meteorological Storm / Gale

Both coastal and inland

areas can be affected

by high winds

Both coastal and

inland areas can be

affected by high winds

Poor driving conditions

Loss of infrastructure

Flooding

Falling Trees

Heavy Snow Blizzards Poor driving conditions

Loss of infrastructure

Severe Cold / Frost

extremes of

Temperature

Icy Roads

/Impassable Roads

Hypothermia

Freezing of Supply

Network

Poor Driving Conditions

Public Health Risk

Loss of Water Supply

Loss of Heating Oil

Lack of Road Grit

Thunder & Lightening Loss of Infrastructure

Dense/ Persistent Fog Road Traffic collisions Poor driving conditions

Heat Wave /Drought Public Health Risk

Water Shortage

80

Hydrological Flooding Coastal / Inland Rivers Aille, Black, Clare, Cong, Moy,

Owenmore, Erriff, Robe, Suck, Hind,

Feorish, Lung, Smaghraan, Arigna,

Seramoge, Cregg, Dunkellin, Abbert,

Owenglin, Grange, Loughkip, Casha,

Sinking, Cloolynon, Bealnabrack,

Bunowen and Shiven.

Lakes Conn, Mask, Carra, Cullin,

Carrowmore, Beltra, Levally, Doo,

Urlaur, Furance, Islandeady, Cross,

Nacorra, Derryhick, Mannin,

Termoncarragh, Ballin, Leam, Cooley,

Corragaun, Drumleen, Levallinree,

Derry, Dahybaun, Glenawough,

Bunaveela, Roe, Nadirkmore,

Clogher, Brohly, Cunnel, Castlereagh,

Moher, Nambrack, Cloon,

Acorrymore, Cuiltybo, Naminoo,

Kinlooey, Key, Meelagh, Funshinagh,

Turlough, Errit, O’Flynn, Annaghmore,

Croan, Cuilleenirwan, Ardakillin,

Kilglass,Eidin, Cavetown, Cloonagh,

Patrick, Conny, Elia, Rogers, Shad,

Grange, Incha, O’Donra, Ballyquirke.

Ross, Corrib, Mask, Coolin, Cutra,

Inagh, Derryclare, Loughrea,

Mountbellew, Ballynakill and Lough

Derg.

Heavy Rain May lead to flooding in Low Lying areas or areas with poor drainage

Geological Landslides Benbaun, Binn Mhór, Mweelrea, Tullu,

Barrislievenaroy, Errisbeg, Lackavrea,

Ben Gorm, Garraun, Corcogemore,

Bencorr, Binn Chaonaigh, Binn Dubh,

Letterbreckaun, Nephin, Craogh

Patrick, Nephin Beg, Maumtrasna,

Croghaun, Ben Gorm, Slievemore,

Slieve Carr, Knockmore,

Barrclashcame, Birreencorragh,

Seltannasaggart, Slieve Baun &

Curlew Mountains.

Land Cave In Glengowla

Tynagh(disused)

81

Forest / Wilderness fire

Air Pollution

There are numerous Forests

throughout the region such as Rinville

Park, Connemara National Park,

Coole Park, Ardnageeha Wood,

Clonbur Wood, Cong Wood, Kilcornan

Woodland, Monivea Woodland,

Mountbellew Woodland, Portumna

Forest Park, Lough Key Forest Park,

Mote Park, Derryvunny, Knockranny,

Beleek Wood, Clare Lake, Millennium

Forest, Brackloon Wood, Letterkeen

and Tawnyard.

82

2.2 - Transportation Hazards


Aviation Aircraft Collision

/Loss

Mid Air and Land Galway Airport

Inverin Airport

Aran Islands Airstrips x 3


Rail Mainline Galway - Dublin



Galway – Limerick

Bridge

Bridgestrike

Road Multiple Road Traffic

Collision

National Roads through Region

Hazmat Hazmat Transport on all roads

Bridge Killaloe/ Ballina Bridge

Salmon Weir Bridge, Galway City

O’Briens Bridge, Galway City

Wolftone Bridge, Galway

Quinncenteninal Bridge Galway

Armstrong /West, - Lower bridge, Ballina

The Hamm bridge -Upper bridge Ballina

Ballyforan Bridge, Roscommon

Boyle Bridge, Roscommon

Water Inland Water ways Pleasure

Craft/Cruises

Lough Derg

Lough Corrib, River Corrib

Lough Rea

Lough Key

Pollution

83

Costal Car Ferry/

passenger

Ferries

Rossaveal to Aran Islands

Doolin to Aran Islands

Corrib Cruises (Galway, Oughterard & Cong)

Cleggan to Inishbofin

Roonah to Inishturk

84

2.3 – Technological Hazards


Industrial Accidents Explosions Damage to Infrastructure

Personal Injuries/ fatalities

Petrochemical Fires Personal Injuries, severe burns/ fatalities

Air Pollution

Industrial Fires LPG Tank Fire

Gas Emission Environmental Pollution

Plume

Fluid/ Fuel Emission Pipeline leak

Fire Water Run Off

Environmental Pollution

Plume

Explosions Domestic Natural Gas

explosion

Bomb Terrorism

LPG Restaurants

Nursing Homes/ Residential Units Domestic Houses

Pipleline Bord Gais Pipeline

Fires Air Pollution

Building Collapse Hotel / Night Club, factories, Sports Venues, Musical Venues, Apartment Blocks Nursing Homes and Hospitals

Hazardous substance

Accident at site Seveso Sites

Transportation

accident

Hazmat on roads

Weapons Terrorism

Biological Leak/Weapons

Radiological “Dirty Bomb” Terrorism

Industrial Accident

85

Table 2.4 Civil Hazards

Category Type Sub-type Local Hazard

Civil Disorder/

Disturbance

Protest

Rioting

Castlerea Prison

Bellanaboy Bridge Gas Terminal

Major Crowd Safety (Movement, crushing etc.) Pop Concerts

Sports Events

Fireworks displays

Air shows

McHale Park Castlebar

Hyde Park Roscommon

Pearse Stadium Galway

Galway Sports Ground

Deacy Park Galway

Loss of Critical

Infrastructure

Energy and Power Supply Electricity

Natural Gas Bord Gáis pipeline

Fuel Oil

Communications Eircom network, mobile phone networks

Food Situation Crisis Food

Contamination

Drought

Multiple casualties/ fatalities

Water Supply Shortage/

Contamination

Freezing /Flooding

Multiple casualties/ fatalities

Epidemics and pandemic Communicable

diseases

Influenza pandemic

Animal Disease Foot & Mouth

Avian Influenza

Health facilities HSE Acute Hospitals

Private Hospitals

Pollution/Contamination Air/Water Pollution Fire Water Run Off

Chemical Incident Near Water Course

86

Terrorism Bombs Car-bombs Terrorism

Bombs in buildings Terrorism

Fire-bombing Civil disorder

CBRN Terrorism

Disruption Bomb scares Terrorism

87

Stage 3 Risk Assessment

The next stage of this process is to consider the overall risks presented by these hazards.

Risk assessment starts with an examination of the impact (severity of consequences to life

and health, property and infrastructure, and the environment – see Table 4.1) of the hazards

identified. The likelihood (probability) also has to be considered (see Table 4.2) and the

resulting judgement recorded on a risk matrix in the next stage. The basis for making this

judgement is set out on the individual hazard record sheet, and includes sources which

influence the judgement (e.g. national/level intelligence and advice from available centres of

expertise, information from risk holder/risk regulator).

A five-point scale is used for categorising both impact and likelihood, ranging as shown in

the risk matrix. In considering the potential impact of a hazard, it is relevant to take two

factors into account, - the type or nature of the impact, and the scale. The type or nature of

impact may be considered in three fields:

Impact on life, health and residual welfare of a community

Social/environmental impact. Social impact may be thought of in terms of disruption/displacement of people affected by the event, while environmental is impact on the physical area;

Economic impact in terms of costs of property/ infrastructure damage as well as recovery costs or loss of economic production.

A simple approach to assessing the likelihood is used, expressed in Terms of Probability of

an event occurring.

IMPACT

Ranking

Classification Impact on life and health

1 Minor Single severe damage, serious injury

2 Limited Single death, a few serious injuries

3 Serious A few deaths (<5), several serious injuries (20), up

to 500 evacuated

4 Very serious 5 to 50 deaths, up to 100 serious injuries, up to 2000

evacuated

5 Catastrophic >50 deaths, injuries in hundreds, more than 200

evacuated

88

LIKELIHOOD

Hazards are measured by judging the IMPACT of an event against the LIKELIHOOD of

this event taking place. The hazards are detailed in the tables below:

Ranking Classification Likelihood

1 Extremely Unlikely Less than once per 1000 years

2 Very Unlikely Once per 100-1000 years

3 Quite Unlikely Once per 10-100 years

4 Likely Once per 1-10 years

5 Very Likely More than once a year

Natural (Reference = NM)

Ref. Category/

Sub-

category

Hazard/Threa

t

Potential

Outcome

description

Relative Risk

areas of

Ireland/

Historical

Evidence

Likeliho

od

Impact Risk Rating

NM1 Meteorolo

gical

Storm/Gale

Both coastal

and inland

areas can be

affected by

high winds

Likely damage

to property.

Displacement

and/or fatalities

may occur.

All counties. Likely Serious Planning

and

preparedne

ss

NM2 Meteorolo

gical

Heavy Snow Roads

inaccessible

Road Traffic

Accidents

Hypothermic

patients

All counties

Winter

2010/2011

Heavy snow

falls in some

Counties &

freezing

conditions.

Likely Serious Planning

and

preparedne

ss

NH3 Hydrologic

al

Flooding

(coastal/inlan

d)

Displacement

of communities

Possible loss of

26/07/2013 and 5/08/2014 Letterkenny

Likely Serious Planning

and

preparedne

ss

89

life

Possible

Contamination

of Drinking

Water

Public Health

Risks

General Hospital

2009, 2013 & 2014

All counties

Severe

Flooding in

West mostly

along the

Shannon

route in

Leitrim,

Roscommon,

Galway,

Clare,

Limerick

NG1 Geological Landslide

/Tsunami

/Earthquake

Poullathomas

Landslide,

Mayo 2003

Derrybrien

Landslide Co.

Galway

Arigna/Geeva

gh Landslide

2008

Tusanami

Indonesia

2004

Tusnami

Japan 2011

Extreme

ly

Unlikely

Catastr

ophic

Extendabilit

y Zone

Transport (Reference = TR)

TR1 Aviation Air/Airport

Accident

Possible to

result in large

number of

casualties/fatalit

ies

Airports:

Shannon,

Inverin,

Sligo,

Knock,

Donegal

Derry airport

is also in

close

Unlikely Very

Serious

Planning

and

preparedne

ss

90

proximity.

Airport

Examples:

Plane Crash

2PndP

November

2002,

Inverin

Airport

Plane Crash

5PthP July

2007

Cork Airport

February

2011

TR2 Road Major car or

bus accident

Multiple

casualties and

loss of life

All roads

Examples:

Gortahork

16/6/2006

Clarecastle

23/9/2007

Carrick-on -

Shannon

3/10/2007

2010

Glasmullen

Co. Donegal

8 fatalities

2012

Castleogry,

Killybegs. 52

people on

the bus all

transferred

to LGH for

assessment

Likely Very

Serious

Planning

and

preparedne

ss

91

TR 3 Rail Train

(passenger/fr

eight) crash

Likely to result

in a large

number of

casualties

and/or fatalities.

Possible

evacuation/

displacement of

local

communities

Sligo

Roscommon

Leitrim

Mayo

Galway

Clare

Limerick

North

Tipperary

Example:

Claremorris

Train Crash

September

1989

Unlikely Very

serious

Planning

and

preparedne

ss

TR4 Water Ship/boat/ferr

y accident

Likely to result

in a large

number of

casualties

and/or fatalities

All counties

Ferries/pass

enger crafts/

ships

Galway

Coast Bay,

Lough

Corrib &

River

Shannon

Unlikely Very

serious

Planning

and

preparedne

ss

Technological (Reference = TE)

TE

1

Fire/Explosion Residential

buildings, large

offices, social

/entertainment

centres, hospitals,

residential homes

Likely to result in

large number of

casualties and/or

fatalities

Air Pollution

All counties

Fire April

1999 Cow

Comforts

Plant

Belmullet Co.

Mayo Full

evacuation of

Hospital

Unlikely Very

serious

Planning

and

prepared

ness

92

required

TE

2

Fire/Explosion Hazardous sites:

Seveso sites

Potential

casualties and

fatalities within

immediately

affected area (1-3

kms). Evacuation

of surrounding

areas.

Air Pollution

8 Upper Tier

SEVESO

sites:

9 Lower Tier

Seveso Sites

Unlikely Very

serious

Planning

and

prepared

ness

TE

3

Fire/Explosion Gas/natural

gas/fuel/ethylene

pipeline

Potential

casualties and

fatalities within

immediately

affected area 1-

3kms. Evacuation

of surrounding

areas.

Air Pollution

Galway &

Mayo

Very

unlikely

Catastr

ophic

Planning

and

prepared

ness

TE

4

Structural

collapse

Building, bridge. Potential

casualties,

fatalities and

missing people

All counties

Lennane

Bridge

Collapse

Unlikely Very

serious

Planning

and

prepared

ness

TE

5

Hazmat

(Chemical +

Biological)

Release of harmful

substances /

Transport of

Harmful

Substances /

Deliberate

Release

Potentially large

number of

casualties.

Evacuations may

be required.

All counties Unlikely Very

serious

Planning

and

prepared

ness

TE6 Radiological Accident at

storage site,

Accident during

transport,

Dirty bomb

Large number of

casualties/fatalities,

Evacuations of

vulnerable people

Radiological

sites area

and local

effects in

many parts of

Ireland.

Examples:

Unlikely Very

Serious

Planning and

preparedness

93

University

College

Hospital

Galway,

Limerick

Regional

Hospital

TE7 Nuclear Radioactive

substance

release from

nuclear reactor

site. Could

result in a wide

area of Ireland

being affected.

Large number of

people affected, but

fear and worry may

be main

consequences.

All counties Unlikely Very

Serious

Planning and

preparedness

Civil (Reference = C)

C1 Civil

disturbance

Rioting

Likely to involve

a large number

of people

resulting in large

scale damage,

fighting /

disorder.

Likely to be

multiple injuries

resulting in

hospitalisation

All counties:

Large Crowd

events,

contentious

situations

Likely Very

Serious

Planning and

preparedness

C2 Crowd safety Large crowd

events

Potential large

numbers of

casualties/fatalities

Sports,

entertainment

events in all

counties

Donegal Rally

2019 23rd

June 2019 –

1 fatality

Letterkenny

Swimming

pool

contamination

April 2019

Unlikely Very

serious

Planning and

preparedness

94

C3 Loss of

critical

infrastructure

Water,

Electricity, Gas,

Fuel shortage,

Communications

Potential

casualties among

most vulnerable

people

All counties Likely Very

Serious

Planning and

preparedness

C4 Mass

Shooting

Involves an

unknown person

or persons at

large in the

community with

the intent of

indiscriminately

killing /seriously

injuring people.

Likely to be

fatalities and

injuries resulting in

hospitalisation.

All counties

Unlikely

Very

Serious

Planning and

preparedness

C5 Food/water

contamination

Localized

outbreak of food

/ water

poisoning,

examples

include

E Coli,

Salmonella.

Domestic and

industrial water

supply affected.

Impact on health

with number of

casualties

presenting, may

be fatalities

All counties.

Examples:

Vtec

Outbreak

Aghamore

Mayo 2015

Crypto

Outbreak

Galway 2007

Ecoli

Outbreak,

Galway Sept.

2007

Likely Very

serious

Planning and

preparedness

C6 Communicable

Disease

Communicable

Disease

Examples

include

Carbapenema

se producing

Enterobacteral

es (CPE)

which is

currently a

National Public

Health

Emergency,

Localised

outbreak of a

disease that

would cause

a number of

casualties

with a

possibility of

some

fatalities

All

counties

Likely Serious Planning and

Preparation

95

Legionella,

Meningitis,

Measles, TB,

in hospital,

school, prison

C7 Water

Contamination

Likely to affect

domestic and

industrial

supplies of

water

Potential

impact on

health with

the possibility

of some

fatalities

All

counties

Example:

Crypto

Outbreak

Galway

2007


Preparation

(Interagency

would be

Prevent and

Mitigate-

Security

services)

C8 Flu Pandemic Pandemic

likely to occur

in two waves,

each lasting

12 weeks,

overwhelming

health and

other services.

One quarter

of the

population

could be

affected.

High number

of cases and

consultations.

Clinical

attack rate of

35%,

mortality

assumption

of 0.37-2.5%.

Age range

vulnerability -

all ages,

including

children,

likely to be

affected.

National Unlikely Catastrophic Planning &

Preparedness

C9 Epidemic flu Likely to be of

much greater

severity than

the usual

seasonal flu.

Significant

increase in

G.P.

consultations

for

new episodes

of flu-like

illness.

All

counties


preparedness

96

The following eleven scenarios were selected to provide a good basis for

development of an all-hazards major emergency plan for the Emergency Management

West Region:

1. Extremes of Weather

2. Flooding

3. Landslide/Tsunami/Earthquake

4. Aircraft Incident

5. Major Road Traffic Accident / Hazmat

6. Rail Incident

7. Marine Incident

8. Large Building Fire

9. Hazardous Material Incident

10. Crowd Incident

11. Influenza Pandemic

C10 SARs or similar

emerging public

health threats

Severe

respiratory

infections

Likely to

cause a large

number of

casualties

and fatalities

All

counties

Unlikely Very serious Planning and

preparedness

C11

Public Health

issue at airports

or ports

Infection or

illness.

Large number

of people

arriving at

either airports

or ports

Impact on

health with

number of

casualties

presenting

All ports

and

airports

Likely Very

Serious

Planning and

preparedness

97

HAZARD RECORD SHEET 1 EXTREMES OF WEATHER

HAZARD CATEGORY SUB-CATEGORY

Natural Severe weather event

Hazard Description Hazard Location

An extreme weather event or prolonged

instance of inclement weather

Area 2

Date: Review Date:

January 2020 January 2021

1. Overview of Hazard

Although Ireland’s climate is generally moderate severe weather events do occur. An

extreme storm could have the consequences of flooding, landslides, structural damage to

properties etc.

Storms with gale force winds are a regular occurrence in the mid-west region.

An extended cold spell is possible in Ireland during winter months, expected impacts as

follows:

Icy roads would have an impact on infrastructure.

water distribution system would be severely compromised resulting in a prolonged period of water shortages and repair

98

severe cold would have an impact on over ground power transmission systems

elderly persons would be particularly at risk

lack of water for fire fighting purposes

During summer months a prolonged heat wave may occur. Drought conditions could impact

upon water supply reservoirs and animals.

2. Key Historical Evidence

Storms:

Ireland

2018 Sept, Storm Ali, gusts of 143km/h were recorded resulting in fallen trees, power supply interruptions and structural damage – 2 fatalities.

2018 February/March, Storm Emma, snow and high winds created blizzard like conditions.

2017 October, Storm Ophelia, sustained winds (10-minute mean) of 111km/h and gusts of up to 156km/h resulting in costal damage, fallen trees, structural damage, power supply interruption and flooding - 3 fatalities.

2014 January & February High Winds Spring Tides resulted in widespread costal damage, falling trees, structural damage power supply interruption and flooding

Christmas Eve 1997, widespread damage caused.

August 1996, Hurricane Charlie, East and Southeast of country affected by flooding and loss of power transmission lines.

January 1974 - gust of 124 m.p.h. was recorded at Kilkeel in County Down.

Sept 1961 Hurricane Debbie - winds reached hurricane force resulting in 12 Fatalities and widespread damage.

United Kingdom

1987, Hurricane and storms, 20 fatalities.

1990, Gales and floods, 45 fatalities. Belgium:

1990, Severe storms, 19 fatalities. Severe cold:

Ireland: 2018, Sub- zero temperatures and blizzard like conditions

Ireland: 2009 – 2010, prolonged cold spell

Ireland: 1970’s, a series of cold winters experiences, a number of elderly fatalities.

Ireland: 1947, Prolonged snow storms.

India: 2006, 1 week of prolonged cold temperatures, 200 fatalities.

Baltic states 2006, prolonged cold weather, 30+ fatalities.

USA: 2004, North & South Carolina, 50+ fatalities.

99

Heat wave:

Ireland: 2018, one of the hottest and driest summers on record causing drought

conditions

Europe: The European heat wave between July and August 2003 led to health crises

in several countries. The European death toll was estimated at more than 70,000.

3. Assessment of Impact and Likelihood

Hazard

Impact

Likelihood

Human

Welfare

Environment Physical

Infrastructure

Social

Extremes

of Weather

Very Serious -

5-50 fatalities,

up to serious

100 injuries

depending on

number of

people

involved and

the nature of

the incident.

Minor -

No

contamination,

localised

effects.

Very Serious -

Serious -

Community

functioning

poorly,

minimal

services

available

Likely

(Once per

10-100

years)

100

4. Position on Risk Matrix

5. Prevention/Control/Mitigation Measures in Place

Local Authority Severe Weather Plans

Local Authority Salting / Gritting Plans – Ice-cast System

Met Éireann Forecasting

Local Authority plans for emergency accommodation centres with necessary equipment and supplies.

Use of water tankers for water distribution.

Road Design

6. Risk Management Approach: Prevention/Control/Mitigation Measures Required

Ongoing development of plans for emergency accommodation centres with necessary equipment and supplies

Community Resilience Planning

Coastguard / Air Corp Assistance

Transportation requirements of all Agencies – Vehicles

Business Continuity Planning to ensure that personnel can attend work / do not have to attend work

Review Storage of Salt / Grit Supplies – (National / Regional / Local)

101

HAZARD RECORD SHEET 2 FLOODING


Hydrological Flooding


Urban flooding in areas susceptible to

flooding

Area 2

Date: Review Date:



A number of rivers flow through Area 2 region.

Lakes which have a history of flooding in the region are Lough Corrib Galway, Lough Mask

Mayo and Lough Key, Roscommon.

Heavy rain

Prolonged rainfall

Tides (Spring)

Low atmospheric pressure

Winds Significant recent floods in the region are during November 2009

August 2008, a flash flood occurred in Newcastle West, Co. Limerick following heavy rainfall

in the River Arra catchment area. 9 people required rescue, evacuation of parts of the town

centre were necessary, 230 properties (commercial and residential) were damaged.

November 2009, January and February 2014 Areas along the West Coast and County

Limerick experienced severe flood incidents throughout the county..

houses and several businesses were affected, in some cases the occupants had to be evacuated

Business properties and stock damaged

Agriculture livestock cut off from fodder supplies

Roads became impassable, temporarily blocked and ultimately suffered severe damage from flood waters

Bridges were subject to previously unknown water pressures and required constant supervision to ensure their structural integrity.

102


Irish Examples:

2018 - Galway City – Flooding

2017 - Galway City – Flooding

August 2017 – Inishowen Peninsula - Flooding

Dec 2015 Limerick, Leitrim Galway significant widespread flooding

January 2014 Limerick City Flooding

March 2013 – Cork City – Flooding

Various 2012 – Cork County – Flooding

November 2009 – Flooding

- Cork (City & County), - Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, - Co. Clare – Flooding along River Shannon affecting parts of Co. Clare & Co.

Limerick

August 2008 – Newcastle West, Co. Limerick

November 2004 – Clonmel – Flooding/Heavy Rain

November 2002 – Dublin – Flooding

International Examples:

Gloucestershire, England, 2007 – Flooding/Heavy Rain

Prague, 2002 – Heavy Rain


Hazard Impact Likelihood

Human

Welfare


Infrastructure

Social

Major

Flooding in

Urban/

Residential

area

Serious -

Evacuation,

disruption to

access/egres

s to/from

homes &

businesses,

restrictions on

emergency

services,

disease,

drowning risk

Serious -

Contamination

by sewage,

risk of

contamination

to public water

supply

Serious -

Water

damages to

property,

Traffic

congestion or

blockages,

contamination

of water and

pipe networks

Serious:

Community

only

partially

functioning,

some

services

available

Major

flooding –

Likely (once

per 1-10

years)

103



Local Authority development controls, e.g. County Development Plans, flood impact assessments.

Local Authority flood Response Plans

Local Authority maintenance works e.g. clearing of gullies, storm drains, shores, roads and bridge culverts where required prior to onset of severe rain.

Maintenance of adequate stocks of sandbags and flood barriers.

Ensure measure availability of stocks of appropriate signs, including flood signs, indicating roads closed etc. and notification of An Garda Síochána as to their location and means of access etc.

Flood mapping of flood risk areas is currently performed by the OPW and is available to the public via the website www.floodmap.ie

Information on protecting your health in the event of flooding can be found here: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/5/publichealth/publichealthdepts/extreme/flood%20risks.html


Ongoing development of flood response plans – guidance from National Directorate

Work with OPW to collate data and anticipate future flood risks.

Develop plans for emergency accommodation centres with necessary equipment and supplies.

Community Resilience Plans : National → Regional → Local

Investigate provision of additional equipment and training for responding to flooding emergencies. E.g. boats, survival equipment, rapid water rescue etc.

Involvement of Coastguard in training.

http://www.floodmap.ie/

104

HAZARD RECORD SHEET 3 Landslides/Earthquakes/Tsunami


Natural Geological


Landslides/Earthquakes/Tsunami Area 2

Date: Review Date:



Landslides/Earthquakes/Tsunami


Flooding was reported in many parts during winter 1999/2000

Significant flooding occurred, 1954

Severe snow and frost in 1982 and 2010

Poullathomas Landslide, Mayo 2003

Derrybrien Landslide Co. Galway 2003

Tusanami Indonesia 2004

Arigna/Geevagh Landslide 2008

Serious flooding throughout the Country in November 2009

Glencolmcille, Co. Donegal, 2009

Tusnami Japan 2011

Clifden, Co Galway 2016



Human

Welfare


Infrastructure

Speed of

Developme

nt/

Escalation

Landslides/

Earthquakes/

Tsunami

Loss of

life

Pollution/health

risks to Public

and Rescue

Personnel from

sewerage

systems, fuel

Major damage to

property and

surrounding land.

Structural

damage/closure

of bridges and

Slow Evidence

suggests

that

extremely

unlikely.

105

storage tanks

and other

sources of

pollution

roads/rail lines

and other

infrastructure.

Landslides

Serious Serious Catastrophic Extremely

unlikely



Existing Major Emergency Plan

Public announcements


More community awareness needs to be focused on severe weather and its effects.

More training required for emergency personnel on how to deal with such an event.

106

HAZARD RECORD SHEET 4 AIRCRAFT INCIDENT


Aviation Aircraft


Aircraft Collision/Loss Area 2

Date: Review Date:


1.Overview of Hazard


Ireland West Airport, with map reference latitude 53 54’ North, longitude 08 49’ West and 202.16m above sea level, is located in the east of the county and just off the national primary route, the N17, which links Galway city to Sligo town.

The annual number of passengers recorded in 2017 was 750,000 the highest in its history. This is an increase 74% increase on the 2007 passenger figures. The growth of Ireland West Airport is ongoing and remains a vital piece of infrastructure for the social and economical benefit of those living, working and holidaying in the West and North West of Ireland. The airport now serves more than 25 scheduled and chartered destinations across Ireland, the UK and Europe.

Ireland West Airport has a runway 2300 m long and a category 2 Instrument Landing System (ILS).


1948 Pan-American Clipper Constellation, Shannon Airport, , 30 fatalities

1954 KLM Constellation, , Shannon Estuary, 28 fatalities

1961 Alitalia DC-6, Clonloghan, Co. Clare, , 34 fatalities

1961 President Airlines DC-6b, Shannon Estuary, , 83 fatalities

1985 Air India Boeing 747, Off South Coast of Ireland, , 329 fatalities

1999 Aer Corp, Waterford, 4 fatalities;

2010 Public health alert, (all passengers required quarantine facilities) Cork

2011 Manx2 Commuter Flight, 11th February Cork Airport – 6 fatalities

2011 Aer Arann ATR 72-212, Shannon Airport 17th July, No casualties

2017 Rescue 116 Coastguard, Black Sod, Mayo, 4 fatalities.

107



Human

Welfare


Infrastructure

Social

Catastrophic

Mechanical

Failure Mid-

Air

Catastrophic -

Death/Serious

Injury *

None None Limited:Normal

community

functioning

with some

inconvenience

Unlikely

(Once per

10 to 100

years)

Collision

with Ground

Catastrophic -

Death/Serious

Injury *

Serious - Fire

damage/

destruction

Serious -

Impact/crash

Limited:

Normal

community

functioning

with some

inconvenience

Unlikely

Fire and/or

Explosion

Catastrophic -

Death/Serious

Injury *

Serious -Fire

damage/

destruction

Serious -

Impact/crash

Debris

Limited:

Normal

community

functioning

with some

inconvenience

Unlikely

Public

Health

Hazard

Catastrophic -

Death /

serious illness

*

None None Limited:

Normal

community

functioning

with some

inconvenience

Unlikely

* Dependant on aircraft type and occupancy / content

108



The Irish Aviation Authority commits to maintain explicitly, safety standards which at least comply with the requirements of:

Legislation in the Republic of Ireland

The International Civil Aviation Organisation

Eurocontrol

The European Union (EU)

The Safety Regulation Division of the Irish Aviation Authority

Live exercise with principal response agencies and airport every 2 years

ICAO Regulations

Knowledge of flight paths


Inter-PRA Cooperation and Training, Exercising.

Measures to provide for clean-up and repair after an incident.

HSE to update protocols re public health for isolation and containment in the case of a public health incident using this guidance: http://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/emergencyplanning/porthealth/publichealthguidance/phguidancedocuments/FINAL%20Full%20MOH%20response%20to%20a%20communicable%20disease%20incident%20on%20an%20aircraft%2012%2003%202018.pdf

http://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/emergencyplanning/porthealth/publichealthguidance/phguidancedocuments/FINAL%20Full%20MOH%20response%20to%20a%20communicable%20disease%20incident%20on%20an%20aircraft%2012%2003%202018.pdf




109

HAZARD RECORD SHEET 5 MAJOR RTA/HAZMAT


Road Multiple Vehicle RTC


Multiple Vehicle RTC Area 2

Date: Review Date:



The National Primary routes throughout the region are: M6, M17

N4, N5, N6, N7

N17, N26, N58, N59 & N60

There were 149 deaths on Irish Roads in 2018.


2018 Hospital, Limerick, 46 secondary school students on bus

2010 Glasmullen Co.Donegal 8 fatalities

2012 Castleogry, Killybegs. 52 people on the bus all transferred to LGH for assessment.

2007, Wellington Road, Cork bus crash, 40 casualties

2007 M7 Motorway, Kildare, Multiple vehicle collision, 1 fatality, 30 casualties

2004, Wellington Quay, Dublin Bus Crash, 5 fatalities, 17 casualties

2005 Kentstown, Navan, Co. Meath, - Bus Crash, 5 fatalities, 40 casualties



Human

Welfare


Infrastructure

Social

Multiple

Vehicle

Serious –

Death/Serious

Limited - Traffic Limited -

Damage to

Limited: Likely (Once

per 1-10

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Glasmullen&action=edit&redlink=1

110

Collision

/ Bus

Crash

injury,

Mental health

Congestion road surface

or Boundary

with Road

Normal

community

functioning

with some

inconvenience

years)

Fire Serious –

Death/Serious

injury,

Burns,

Toxic

poisoning

Limited –

Fire damage,

Smoke

damage,

Ground/Surface

water

contamination,

Traffic

congestion

Limited –

Fire

destruction,

Fire damage,

Smoke

damage

Limited:

Normal

community

functioning

with some

inconvenience

Likely



Garda enforcement of Traffic Law – New measures in recent years – Garda Traffic Corp established, Penalty points system introduced, random breath testing in place.

Forensic collision investigators

Road Safety Authority established at National level.

Road Building & Maintenance Programmes – NRA & Local Authorities.

Road Safety Officer appointed in each Local authority.

Inter-Agency co-operation, training & exercising

Involvement of Gardaí & Ambulance Service in Fire Service RTA Training Course.

Inter-agency tunnel training and exercises

111

Fire service training in dealing with Hazmat incidents.


Inter-Agency agreements in response to Road Traffic Accidents

Traffic Management Plan

Knowledge of high accident locations

Knowledge of level of hazardous material transported through county

Obtain suitable equipment such as special illuminated safety signage and cutting/lifting equipment to aid response by the Fire Service to accidents on motorways.

Protocol for response to tunnel incidents.

112

HAZARD RECORD SHEET 6 RAIL INCIDENT


Rail Incident Mainline


Derailment / Collision / Fire Area 2

Date: Review Date:



The following lines pass through the region:

Galway - Dublin



Galway – Limerick

Safety Risks include:

Level Crossings

Derailment/Collision

Bridge Strike

Bridge Collapse

Environmental – Severe weather, storms etc.

Equipment failure

Human error

Potential damage to water supply, rivers or wildlife in the vicinity of an incident.

Restricted access to incidents on the rail line.


1975 Gorey, Co. Wexford– Under bridge strike, 5 fatalities

1980 Buttevant, Co. Cork – Derailment, 18 fatalities

1983 Cherryville, Co. Kildare– Collision involving two trains, 7 fatalities

1989 Claremorris, Co. Mayo – Derailment

1997 Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon – Derailment

2009 Malahide Viaduct Accident – Viaduct Collapse

113



Human

Welfare


Infrastructure

Social

Derailment/

Collision

Very Serious -

Death /

Serious Injury

Limited –

Fuel Spill

Soil

Contamination

Ground Water

or Surface

Water

Contamination

Serious -

Damage to rail

line, structural

collapse of

bridge,

closure of

mainline

Limited:

Normal

community

functioning

with some

inconvenience

Unlikely

(Once per

10-100

years)

Fire Serious –

Death/Serious

Injury, burns,

toxic

poisoning

Limited –

Fire Damage

Smoke

Damage

Deposition of

Toxic Materials

Soil

Contamination

Ground/Surface

Water

Contamination

Fire Water

Runoff

Serious –

Fire

destruction,

fire/smoke

damage,

closure of

mainline,

traffic

congestion

Limited:

Normal

community

functioning

with some

inconvenience

Unlikely

114



Iarnród Éireann is licensed to operate by the Railway Safety Commission.

Safety Management system in place in Iarnród Éireann.

Railway Traffic monitored by Central Traffic Control, Connolly Station, Dublin.

Electronic / Mechanical emergency controls in locomotives.

Hold joint Interagency exercises with Iarnród Éireann – Table top/on site


Obtain suitable equipment to help the Fire Service respond to such an incident.

Map access points for emergency services to the rail line.

Continue identification of higher risk areas on the tracks & map bridges and crossings.

Increase public awareness on the dangers of railway crossings.

Malahide Viaduct Accident Investigation Report 2010

115

HAZARD RECORD SHEET 7 MARINE INCIDENT


Transportation Marine Incident


Ship/boat incident on inland waterway or at

sea

Area 2

Date: Review Date:



Area 2 has a significant coast line with several ports at Galway and a significant number of

rivers and lakes.

A number of Ferries operate on the Rivers, Lakes and Coast carrying both passengers and

freight.


Ireland:

1979, Whiddy Island, Bantry, oil tanker explosion, 50 fatalities.

1986, Cork, Kowloon Bridge ran aground, major oil pollution.

1991, Dublin Bay collision between 2 cargo ships, 3 fatalities.

2003, Off Rosslare Europort, Stena Europe ferry lost all power with 155 passengers and 65 crew aboard. The ship was adrift for three hours in winds of 35-45 knots.

UK:

1989, River Thames, pleasure boat collided with dredger, 51 fatalities. Belgium:

1987, Zeebrugge Ferry capsized, 193 fatalities Italy:

2012, Isola del Gigl, Italian Cruise Ship, Costa Concordia ran aground – 32 fatalities

116



Human

Welfare


Infrastructure

Social

Marine

Incident

Very Serious

Dependent on

type of boat

and capacity.

Very Serious -

Heavy

contamination

if it involves

cargo,

localised

effects of

extended

duration.

Serious – 3-

10M Euros

Limited:

Normal

community

functioning

with some

inconvenience

Very

Unlikely

(Once per

10 - 100

years)



Marine safety procedures and protocols.

Maritime law.

Dublin Fire Brigade marine emergency response team available to region.

Shannon Estuary Anti Pollution Team (SEAPT).

Shannon Foynes Port Company emergency plans.

Plan exercises involving coastguard and PRAs.

117


Further exercises involving coastguard and PRAs.

Co-operation with and participation in any principal agency training, exercises and

protocols that may be put in place in this regard.

Ship fire fighting training required for all responding officers and fire fighters.

118

HAZARD RECORD SHEET 8 LARGE BUILDING FIRE


Building Fire


Fire in a large building housing a large

number of occupants.

Area 2

Date: Review Date:



This individual hazard record sheet assesses the risks which could develop should a fire

occur in a large building such as a nightclub or hotel. There are numerous hotels in the

region with nightclubs and/or holding public dance licenses, with a number of other premises

types holding public dance licenses. Some premises may hold over 1000 people at any one

time.


Irish Examples:

2015 Dublin, Carrickmines Halting Site,10 fatalities

1981 Dublin, Stardust nightclub fire. 48 fatalities.

1980 Bundoran, Central Hotel fire. 10 fatalities.

International Examples:

2001 Volendam, Netherlands, Cafe/nightclub fire. 10 fatalities.

1998 Gothenburg, Sweden,. Dance hall fire. 63 fatalities.

2009 Perm, Russia, Nightclub fire, 113 fatalities, 140 injured

2008 Shenzhen, China, , Nightclub fire, 43 fatalities

2009 Bangkok, Nightclub, 64 fatalities

2013 Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, Nightclub – 242 fatalities

2013 Novgorod region, Russia, Nursing Home, 37 fatalities

2017 Grenfell Tower, UK, Residential Building, 72 fatalities, 70 injured

119



Human

Welfare


Infrastructure

Social

Fire Very

Serious –

Death/injury,

burns, toxic

poisoning

Limited – Fire

damage/destruction,

smoke damage, fire

water run-off

Serious –

Fire/structural

damage to

building

Limited:

Normal

community

functioning

with some

inconvenience

Unlikely

(Once per

10-100

years)


Prevention/Control/Mitigation Measures in Place

During performance inspections if appropriate.

Building Control Legislation.

Fire Services Legislation.

Planning Legislation.

Pre fire planning/familiarisation visits.

Inspection & enforcement by Building Regulations and Planning sections.

During performance inspections.

120


Fire safety enforcement.

Event safety plans.

Agreed inter-agency response protocols and procedures.

Multiservice liaison and exercising.

121

HAZARD RECORD SHEET 9 HAZARDOUS MATERIAL INCIDENT


Technological Hazardous materials


Hazardous material incident Area 2

Date: Review Date:



There are a number of Seveso sites in Area 2, as follows:

Upper Tier Sites:

Atlantic Industries Ballina Co. Mayo

Bellanaboy Bridge Gas Terminal (“Corrib Gas Terminal”) Belmullet Co. Mayo

Topaz, Galway City

Colas Oranmore Co. Galway

Lower Tier Sites:

Brooklands Gas Co. Ltd, Ballina, Co. Mayo

Calor Teo, Claremoirris, Co. Mayo

Flogas Ir. Ltd, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo

Tynagh Energy Ltd, Galway

The region also contains a large number of chemical industries. LPG and Natural Gas are

used commonly throughout the region both commercially and domestically. The Irish ring-

main gas line runs through the region, and there are a number of pumping stations

associated with this line.


2008 Little Island, Corden PharaChem, Chemical Explosion, 1 fatality.

2006 Ennis, Gas line rupture, a number of people evacuated.

2005, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick, 24 hour disruption to local services.

2004 Lahinch, Co. Clare, gas leak causing explosion, severe structural damage to premises.

2003 Limerick City, Acetylene cylinder explosion, 1 fatality.

1994 Cork, Hicksons Pharmaceutical plant, 36 injured, major environmental damage

1993 Dublin, Newport Pharmaceuticals plant, 500+ evacuated

122


Hazard

Impact Likelihood

Human

Welfare


Infrastructure

Social

Hazardous

material

incident

occurring

at a

industrial

site

Very serious:

5 to 50

fatalities, up to

100 serious

injuries, up to

2000

evacuated.

Very serious:

Heavy

contamination

localised

effects or

extended

duration.

Serious

Serious:

Community

only partially

functioning,

some services

available.

Unlikely

(Once per

10-100

years)



Seveso II (COMAH) regulations.

Internal and External emergency plans.

Site specific protocols and safety procedures and emergency response teams.

Fire Services Legislation & Planning Legislation.

Provision of Fire service including equipment and training.

Fire service training with risk holders.

123


Ongoing inter-agency co-operation, training & exercises

Develop PRA plans/procedures/protocols for dealing with HAZMAT incidents.

Advice and expertise of private sector to be utilised in the response to chemical incidents.

124

HAZARD RECORD SHEET 10 CROWD INCIDENT


Civil Crowd Incident


Crowd incident at an organised event

involving large numbers of people

Area 2

Date: Review Date:



Organised Large Crowd events are a regular occurrence in the HSE West region.

Civil disorder at unorganised events through a disturbance or rioting may occur at

nightclubs, music events, sporting events, organised protests (e.g. anti-war protests at

Shannon Airport), or during visits of controversial public figures.


Belgium:

1985, Hysel Stadium, 38 fatalities, 400 injuries.

U.K.:

1989, Hillsborough, 96 fatalities.

1971, Ibrox Park, Glasgow, crush of spectators, 66 fatalities.

Ireland:

1995 - Lansdowne Road, riots at international soccer match.

2004 – 2007, Shannon Airport anti-war protests

2006 - Co. Clare U.S. President Bush visit.

2006 - Love Ulster riots, Dublin.

2006 – 2008, Corrib Gas line disturbances

125


Hazard

Impact

Likelihood

Human

Welfare


Infrastructur

e

Social

Crowd incident at

an event

involving large

numbers of

people

Very

Serious -

5-50

fatalities, up

to serious

100 injuries

depending

on number

of people

involved

and the

nature of

the incident.

Minor -

No

contamination

, localised

effects.

Limited -

0.5-3M Euros

Limited -

Normal

community

functioning

with some

inconvenien

ce.

Unlikely

(Once per

10-100

years)


126


Event Management / Risk assessment.

Planning legislation – “Event Licence”.

Safety at Sports Grounds Guidance.

Co-operation and planning by each Principal Response Agency prior to and during an organised event.


Guidance required when dealing with unlicensed events.

Continued event management and risk assessment.

Ongoing co-operation with and participation in any principal agency training, exercises and protocols that may be put in place in this regard.

127

HAZARD RECORD SHEET 11 INFLUENZA PANDEMIC


Influenza Pandemic/Epidemic Communicable Diseases


Influenza Pandemic/Epidemic in Ireland Area 2

Date: Review Date:



In the Northern Hemisphere, the influenza season commences in October and continues

through to May. In general influenza outbreaks last between 6 - 8 weeks and can affect all

ages, in particular the extremes of age, but can last for twice as long (2017/2018). The

World Health Organization (WHO) makes a recommendation every year as to which strains

of influenza are most likely to be circulating during the flu season and thus for inclusion in

the seasonal flu vaccine. All healthcare workers are recommended to get the flu vaccine.

Pandemic Influenza, however, can occur at any time of the year. An influenza pandemic is a

global epidemic caused by a new influenza virus to which there is little or no pre-existing

immunity in the human population. The most recent pandemic occurred in April 2009 and

was caused by an influenza A (H1N1) virus. It lasted until August 2010 and is estimated to

have caused between 100 000 and 400 000 deaths globally in the first year alone.

Influenza virus undergoes minor changes on its surface regularly as it multiplies. This is

known as antigenic drift and is the reason why a person needs to be vaccinated annually.

When more major changes occur in the structure of the virus such that a new virus subtype

is produced, this is known as antigenic shift. This is of major importance, as the general

population will not have any protection against this new virus. The new subtype can cause a

pandemic if it has the ability to spread rapidly from person to person and if it is virulent. As a

result large numbers of people all over the world are affected over a relatively short space of

time and some cases can prove fatal.

Zoonotic Influenza Viruses

Animal influenza viruses are distinct from human seasonal influenza viruses and do not

easily transmit between humans. However, animal influenza viruses that may occasionally

infect humans through direct or indirect contact - can cause disease in humans ranging from

a mild illness to death.

Examples of zoonotic influenza viruses that have recently caused human infections include

highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H7N9), A(H5N1), and A(H5N6); low pathogenic avian

influenza A(H7N2), which was transmitted from a cat; and swine influenza A(H1N2)v and

128

A(H3N2)v.

Whether currently-circulating avian, swine and other zoonotic influenza viruses will result in

a future pandemic is unknown. Experience with the emergence of such a variety of different

influenza strains that transmit from animals to humans illustrates the highly unpredictable

nature of influenza viruses such that assumptions about where the next influenza virus with

pandemic potential will emerge, or what its characteristics will be, cannot easily be made.

This uncertainty underscores that planning should not focus only on avian influenza but

should be based on broad and robust surveillance and evidence-based risk assessment.

Surveillance

The global community needs to be continually alert to the possibility of another pandemic

strain emerging at any time, as pandemics, like the viruses that cause them, are

unpredictable.

Influenza surveillance can provide information that may help detect and manage a

pandemic. This involves the collection of both clinical and virological data. Clinical

surveillance monitors the impact of the illness on the health service and the community,

while virological surveillance confirms that influenza is circulating and also identifies the

current strain.

The WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System comprises 153 institutions in

114 countries. The network acts as a global alert mechanism, monitoring circulating

influenza viruses in order to detect the emergence of those with pandemic potential.

In Ireland, Influenza is a notifiable disease and is reported to Departments of Public Health

who are responsible for the surveillance, investigation and control of infectious diseases.

Outbreaks of influenza are usually managed by Depts. Of Public Health.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre in partnership with the Irish College of General

Practitioners (ICGP) and the National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL) have established

a network of sentinel general practices which report on a weekly basis the number of

patients seen with influenza-like illness. Virological confirmation identifies the type, and

subtyping of influenza is often undertaken by the NVRL.

Following collection of the data a weekly influenza report is compiled throughout the

influenza season, which runs from October to May. Reports of influenza activity in Europe

and Worldwide are also provided as part of the overall monitoring of influenza activity.

Influenza pandemics, whether mild, moderate or severe, affect a large proportion of the

population, which puts significant strains on health and other essential services and may

result in significant economic losses. As an influenza pandemic may last months or even

years, this requires a sustained response in the health sector but also in other sectors

providing essential services, such as energy and food production. Large numbers of staff

are likely to be absent from work at any one time.

As a result essential functions of the Principal Response Agencies would be affected due to

lack of resources. At a European level, the EU “Guide to revision of national pandemic

influenza preparedness plans: Lessons learned from the 2009 A (H1N1) pandemic”

129

recommends strategic planning at both national and subnational level, intersectoral

planning, business continuity and surge capacity planning.


In the past 300 years there have been at least ten influenza pandemics and four of them

have occurred in the last ninety years. In the 20th century, there were three influenza

pandemics: ‘Spanish flu’ (1918-1919), ‘Asian flu’ (1957-1958) and ‘Hong Kong flu’ (1968-

1969). Of these pandemics, the Spanish flu, which was caused by an avian influenza

virus, had the most devastating impact and resulted in about 40 million deaths

worldwide. The Asian flu caused more than two million deaths worldwide, while the Hong

Kong flu resulted in about one million deaths.

Seasonal Influenza and Pandemic Influenza are a significant cause of mortality. The

annual number of deaths reported in Ireland from Influenza in recent years is shown

below. The high number for 2017/2018 highlights the severity of this Influenza season.

Flu Season

2011/2012 2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017 2017/2018

Number of deaths

12 38 58 66 84 95 222



Human

Welfare


Infrastructure

Social

Influenza

pandemic

Catastrophic–

significant

fatalities,

illness, loss of

essential

services due

to

absenteeism.

Minor Minor Very

Serious:

Community

functioning

poorly,

minimal

services

available

Unlikely

(Once per

10 - 100

years)

130



Plans have been developed from the work of expert groups in the HSE on vaccines and antiviral medicines, surveillance, communications, case management, laboratory operation, personnel and supplies.

In the event of a pandemic antiviral medicine (drugs used to treat influenza) will be given to people who are infected with the flu virus.

Effective use of pandemic vaccines


Identify essential functions and posts whose absence would place business continuity at particular risk.

Put in place measures to maintain core business activities for several weeks with high levels of staff absenteeism.

Identify which services could be curtailed or closed down during all, or the most intense period, of the pandemic.

Identify inter-dependencies between organisations and make sure they are resilient. For example, suppliers delivering services under contract should have arrangements in place to continue to provide their service.

Ensure employees are aware of official advice on how to reduce the risk of infection during a pandemic. (This will be available as part of the HSE communications plan during a pandemic)

Ensure that adequate hygiene (e.g. hand-washing) facilities are routinely available.

131

Stage 4 Emergency Management West Region - Risk Matrix

The scores from the Risk assessment in section 3 are recorded on

the Matrix below.

NM1,

NM2,

C6, C7,

C9,NH3

TR2, C3, C5, C11

TR1, TR3, TR4,

TE1,TE2, TE4,

TE5, TE6, TE7,C1,

C2, C10,C4

NM2, C8, TE3

NG1

132

Appendix A Islands

Populated Islands HSE West (Census 2016)

Galway Mayo

Inishbofin 175 Inishlyre 4

Inis Mór 762 Clynish 4

Inis Meáin 183 Inishnakillew 6

Inis Oírr 281 Inishturk 51

Claggan 8

InishTurk Beg 2

Clare Island 159

Inis Bigil 18

http://oileain.ie/cot/en/TheIslands/map/InisbofinGalway

http://oileain.ie/cot/en/TheIslands/map/Inishlyre/

http://oileain.ie/cot/en/TheIslands/map/inismor/

http://oileain.ie/cot/en/TheIslands/map/Clynish/

http://oileain.ie/cot/en/TheIslands/map/inismeain/

http://oileain.ie/cot/en/TheIslands/map/Inishakillew/

http://oileain.ie/cot/en/TheIslands/map/inisoirr/

http://oileain.ie/cot/en/TheIslands/map/inishturk/

http://oileain.ie/cot/en/TheIslands/map/claggan/

http://oileain.ie/cot/en/TheIslands/map/inishturkbeg

http://oileain.ie/cot/en/TheIslands/map/clareisland/

http://oileain.ie/cot/en/TheIslands/map/inisbigil/

133

Appendix B Road Map of Ireland

This map shows motorways and major roads throughout the island of Ireland.

134

Appendix B Road Map of Ireland

135

Appendix C Irish Rail Network

136

Appendix D Bord Gáis Pipe Network

137

Appendix 15.4 National Ambulance Service Stations and Receiving

Hospital Locations

138

Appendix 15.5 Casualty Bureau and Role of the Coroner

Protocol Between An Garda Síochána and the HSE

Introduction

In the event of a Major Emergency involving a significant number of casualties, An Garda

Síochána will establish a Casualty Bureau to collect and collate the details of all casualties

and survivors, in accordance with Clause 5.7.4 of A Framework for Major Emergency

Management (2006).

This is a critical element of the total envelop of care, provided by the Principal Response

Agencies for casualties, their relatives and friends in the aftermath of a Major Emergency.

Hospital Role

When the Garda Team arrives at a hospital, it is important that people and procedures are in

place (as detailed in the Hospital Major Emergency Plan) to accommodate the arrival and

work of the Team.

To achieve this, each hospital, which may receive casualties from a Major Emergency, must

have (as far as possible):

A nominated individual (with alternates), who will act as liaison officer between

the hospital and the Garda Documentation Team, i.e. The Hospital /Garda

Casualty Liaison Officer

A location (office) where the Garda Casualty Team can work, which has

- a telephone (or preferably 2)

- access to a printer / photocopier

Key Information

The Garda Casualty Form is an extensive document, but the key information fields that the

Garda Documentation Team will be seeking to complete, in the case of each individual

casualty, are

Hospital Patient Reference Number

Surname

Forename

Date of Birth (or Approximate Age)

Sex

Condition

- Minor Injuries

- Seriously Injured

- Life threatening injuries

- Deceased

139

Obviously in the case of some casualties (for example unconscious casualties) some of this

key information may not be available.

Other information fields, such as current address, nationality and details of next of kin, will be

completed, where practical.

Further Information:

An Garda Síochána will provide the services of a Casualty Bureau in conjunction with the

other two Principal Response Agencies.

Casualty Information

The accuracy of information in relation to casualties is of vital importance and the key

information sought must be verified before distribution to media outlets. The following is an

indication of the core information required in the aftermath of a Major Disaster:

How many were killed or injured

Of those injured, how serious is their condition

How many uninjured of the total involved

Were any of the victims prominent persons

Where were those involved in the aftermath of the incident e.g.

Hospitals, Rest Centres, Friends / Relatives Reception Centre

Facilities to deal with injured / deceased

Release of Casualty Bureau number to the Press and to the Public

The release of the dedicated Casualty Bureau number will via the media will be processed

through the Garda Press Office in conjunction with the Casualty Bureau Supervisor and

Senior Officer in Charge of the incident.

It is worth noting that there is a time lag between the activation of procedures to establish the

Casualty Bureau and activation of the dedicated call centre at Garda Headquarters.

Advice to the public (via the media) will be given through the Garda Press Office of when the

Casualty Bureau dedicated telephone lines are operational.

An Garda Síochána will request families of persons missing to nominate one Person to

contact the help lines / casualty bureau to minimise the number of queries, duplicate

records and as far as possible the burden on the recording system and personnel involved.

Closure of Casualty Bureau

Closure of the Casualty Bureau will take place after consultation between the Casualty

Bureau Supervisor and the Senior Garda Officer in charge of the incident and Inspector in

charge Garda Communications Centre, Harcourt Square.

140

The following diagram is an outline of the planned procedures.

The Role of the Coroner

The Coroner is an independent judicial officer, who has responsibility for investigating all

sudden, unexplained, violent or unnatural deaths. It is the task of the Coroner to establish

the ‘who, when, where and how’ of unexplained deaths. All such deaths in Ireland are

investigated under the Coroners’ Act, 1962.

The Coroners’ Act, 1962

S 17.—Subject to the provisions of this Act, where a coroner is informed that the body of a

deceased person is lying within his district, it shall be the duty of the coroner to hold an

inquest in relation to the death of that person if he is of opinion that the death may have

occurred in a violent or unnatural manner, or suddenly and from unknown causes or in a

place or in circumstances which, under provisions in that behalf contained in any other

enactment, require that an inquest should be held.

The Coroner has overall responsibility for the identification of bodies and remains and s/he is

entitled to exclusive possession and control of a deceased person until the facts about their

death have been established. A full post-mortem and forensic examination will be carried out

on every body from a major emergency and each death will be the subject of an Inquest.

Casualty Bureau – Typical Information Flow

RECEIVING HOSPITALS

SCENE

Survivor Reception Centre

or Rest Centre

Garda Press

Office

Casualty Bureau

Garda Headquarters

Free Phone

Fax no.

FRRC

Friends /

Relatives

Reception

Centre

Casualty Bureau

Garda

Headquarters

PRESS

Local Garda

Stations

Friends / Relatives

Messages

Relatives / Friends

Telephone

Enquiries

BODY HOLDING AREA

TEMPORARY MORTUARY

Major Incident

Room

141

The post-mortem is carried out by a Pathologist, who acts as the ‘Coroners Agent’ for this

purpose.

List of Coroners Districts

The coroner’s districts listed in the appropriate Garda Division Major Emergency Plan. The

districts are roughly equivalent to Local Authority areas, although there are some cases

where a number of Coroners operate in the same Local Authority area. Each of the districts

has one Coroner and a Deputy Coroner, who acts for the Coroner in the event of absence or

illness. All Coroners must be either registered medical practitioners or practising solicitors or

barristers for five years. All Coroners currently work part-time.

Planning for Fatalities

Multiple fatalities are a feature of many major emergencies and each Principal Response

Agency should have robust arrangements in place, which set out that agency’s role in

dealing with fatal casualties. Once rescue is complete, and there are no further live

casualties at the site, the focus of work there turns to evidence recovery. No

removal/recovery of the dead will usually take place without the Coroner’s authority, except

as provided for in Section 5.7.2 of the Framework.

The following table shows sequentially the stages for dealing with fatal casualties and

the agency responsible for each stage:

Stage Who Action Facilities Required

Who may assist

Finding the casualty Any agency

Recognising as dead Doctor or Paramedic

Label casualty as ‘DEAD’

Triage Labels

Pronouncing dead

Doctor Sign Triage Label with date and time

In-situ Forensic examination and recording

Garda Gather evidence and photograph

Forensic kits Cordons

Forensic Pathologist

Removal of remains to Body Holding Area

Garda Move body and maintain chain of evidence

Designated Body Holding Area Body Bags Stretchers

Local Authority

Removal of body to Mortuary/Temporary Mortuary

Garda Move body and maintain chain of evidence

Undertakers

Identification Garda Casualty Identification Form

Specialist teams

Notification of relatives Garda

Viewing for Identification purposes

Garda Viewing facilities Next of kin/ relation/ friend/ Psychosocial Support

142

Stage Who Action Facilities Required

Who may assist

Viewing for grieving purpose

Garda Viewing facilities HSE staff, Clergy/ psycho-social support

Post Mortem Pathologist Suitably equipped mortuary

Pathology technicians

Certification of Death Registrar of Deaths

Handover to relatives Garda

Burial/Cremation

Family or Local Authority

Criminal Investigation (if appropriate)

Garda

Investigation of criminal responsibility

Inquest (in the case of criminal investigation the inquest will be adjourned until investigation complete)

Coroner Determination of cause of death

Contact Details

Fax number (converted to email): 01 6661222

Incident email: [email protected]

General email queries: [email protected]

MEM Region Garda Representatives

Contact Details An Garda Síochána Region

North West Ursula Hussey David Durkin

[email protected] [email protected] North West

West Tom Waters [email protected] North West

Mid West Alan Cullen [email protected] South

South James Hallahan [email protected] South

South East Liam Connolly [email protected] Eastern

East Dan Flavin [email protected] Dublin

North East Peter Gilsenan [email protected] North West

Midlands Paul Burke [email protected] East

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

143

Appendix 15.6 Marine and Off-shore incidents and Medico Cork

In the event of a medical emergency at sea the Principal Emergency Service responsible for the initiation, control and co-ordination of maritime emergencies in Irish territorial waters, harbours and coastline is the Irish Coast Guard.

The major emergency plans of the principal response agencies may be activated by one of those agencies in response to a request to the Irish Coast Guard following a threatened or actual emergency in the Irish Maritime Search and Rescue Region.

Emergency Medical Advice in Marine and Off-shore Islands

Medical Emergencies that arise at sea and on islands have unique issues caused by the distance from shore. These incidents may not of themselves constitute a Major Emergency as provided for in the Framework however they do present some challenges different from a land based small-scale emergency.

To provide a response to this geographic isolation EU regulations [EC Council Directive 92/29/EEC] stipulate that every country must have one receiving hospital to take calls from the Coast Guard from seagoing vessels which require medical advice.

In accordance with Section 9 (1) of S.I. No. 506 of 1997, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources* has designated Cork University Hospital as the Radio Medical Consultation Centre for Ireland. It was designated as the Radio Medical Consultation Centre for Ireland by Marine Notice 28 of 2001. (Also, called a Notice to Mariners NTM) *Note: The relevant marine emergency functions of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources were transferred to the Department of Transport on and from 1 January 2006.

144

The Maritime Medical Consultation Unit of CUH is MEDICO** Cork. The unit is available to provide vessels at sea with free medical advice by radio on a 24 hour basis.

**“MEDICO” is a radio nickname for medical service. There is MEDICO Madrid, MEDICO

Rome and so on. So for example if a Spanish Trawler wanted medical advice in Irish waters

it would most likely be put in contact with MEDICO Madrid.

The unit can be contacted through the Irish Coast Guard Radio Stations at Dublin, Valentia and Malin Head. The Coast Guard plays a pivotal role in the service facilitating three-way communication between the sea-going vessel and the emergency department CUH where there is a designated Medico Cork phone. All calls are then dealt with by a consultant or registrar.

Extension of Medico Cork advice to Off-shore Islands

Air Ambulance Operations Notice 2/08 Dated: 24th January, 2008 extends the On-line

advice from Medico, Cork to assist the national ambulance service in providing similar

advice.

This will apply in situations where a call for an emergency helicopter transfer is received from an off-shore Island.

In order to ensure that helicopter resources are properly used and that the appropriate patients receive this service, the EMC dealing with such calls will use the following procedure:

The EMC will patch the caller through to Medico Cork where a senior emergency care practitioner will discuss the details of the patient's condition with the caller, give appropriate medical advice and provide a direction on the category of the medical emergency.

The EMC will respond to this advice to meet the needs of the patient concerned in accordance with National Ambulance Service protocols.

Method of Contact with Medico Cork

All calls for assistance from Medico Cork which fall within the guidelines should be directed

to the Irish Coast Guard at:

DUBLIN (Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre, MRCC)

01- 6620922 / 6620923

VALENTIA (Kerry)

066 – 9476109

MALIN HEAD (Donegal)

074 - 9370103

Or alternatively Dial 112/999 as ask for the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard will initiate the

contact with Medico Cork.

145


148


151

Appendix 15.9 Directory of Contacts

(Available on Request from HSE West Emergency Management Office)

152

Appendix 15.10 Glossary of Terms and Acronyms

Ambulance Loading Point

An area, close to the Casuality Clearing Station, where casualties are transferred to

ambulance for transport to hospital.

Body Holding Area

An area, under the control of An Garda Síochána, where the dead can be held

temporarily until transferred to a Mortuary or Temporary Mortuary.

Business Continuity

The processes and procedures an organisation puts in place to ensure that essential

functions can continye during and after an adverse event.

Casualty

Any person killed or injured during the event. (For the purpose of the Casualty

Bureau it also includes survivors, missing persons and evacuees).

Casualty Bureau/Casualty Information Centre

Central contact and information point, operated by An Garda Síochána, for all those

seeking or providing information about individuals who may have been involved.

Casualty Clearing Station

The area established at the site by the ambulance service, where casualties are

collected, triaged, treated and prepared for evacuation.

Casualty Form

A standard form completed in respect of each casualty and collated in the Casualty

Bureau.

Civil Protection

The term used in the European Union to describe the collective approach to

protecting populations from a wide range of hazards.

Collaboration

Working jointly on an activity.

Command

The process of directing the operations of all or part of the particular service (or

group of services) by giving direct orders.

153

Control

The process of influencing the activity of a service or group of services, by setting

tasks, objectives or targets, without necessarily having the authority to give direct

orders.

Controller of Operations

The person given authority by a Principal Response Agency to control all elements

of its activities at and about the site.

Co-operation

Working together towards the same end.

Co-ordination

Bringing the different elements of a complex activity or organisation into an efficient

relationship through a negotiated process.

Cordons

The designated perimeters of an emergency site, with an Outer Cordon, an Inner

Cordon, a Traffic Cordon and a Danger Area Cordon, as appropriate.

Crisis Management Team (CMT)

A strategic level management group, which consists of senior managers from within

the Principal Response Agency, which is assembled to manage a crisis and deal

with issues arising for the agency both during the emergency and the subsequent

recovery phase.

Danger Area

An area where there is a definite risk to rescue personnel, over and above that which

would normally pertain at emergency operations.

Decision Making Mandate

Establishes the envelopes of empowered activity and decision making to be

expected, without references to higher authorities.

Decontamination

A procedure employed to remove hazardous materials from people and equipment.

Emergency Response

The short term measures taken to respond to situations which have occurred.

154

Evacuation Assembly Point

A building or area to which evacuees are directed for onward transportation.

Friends and Relatives Reception Area

A secure area, operated by An Garda Síochana, for the use of friends and relatives

arriving at or near the site of the emergency.

Garda Code Instructions

A document containing instructions, legislation, processed and procedures in respect

of the day-to-day management of An Garda Síochana.

Hazard

Any phenomenon with the potential to cause direct harm to members of the

community, the environment or physical infrastructure, or being potentially damaging

to the economic and social infrastructure.

Hazard Identification

A stage in the Risk Assessment process where potential hazards are identified and

recorded.

Hazard Analysis

A process by which the hazards facing a particular community, region or country are

analysed and assessed in terms of the threat/risk which they pose.

Holding Area

An area at the site, to which resources and personnel, which are not immediately

required, are directed to await deployment.

Hospital Casualty Officer

The member of An Garda Síochána responsible for collecting all information on

casualties arriving at a receiving hospital.

Impact

The consequences of a hazardous event being realised, expressed in terms of a

negative impact on human welfare, damage to the environment or the physical

infrastructure or other negative consequences.

Information Management Officer (IMO)

A designated member of the support team of a Principal Response Agency who has

competency/training in the area of information management.

155

Information Management System

A system for the gathering, handling, use and dissemination of the information.

Investigating Agencies

Those organisations with a legal duty to investigate the causes of an event.

Lead Agency

The Principal Response Agency that is assigned the responsibility and mandate for

the co-ordination function.

Likelihood

The probability or chance of an event occurring.

Local Co-ordination Centre

A pre-nominated building, typically at county or sub-county level, with support

arrangements in place, and used for meetings of the Local Co-ordination Group.

Local Co-ordination Group

A group of senior representatives from the three Principal Response Agencies (An

Garda Síochána, HSE and Local Authority) whose function is to facilitate strategic

level co-ordination, make policy decisions, liaise with regional/national level co-

ordination centres, if appropriate, and facilitate the distribution of information the

media and the public.

Major Emergency Management

The range of measures taken under the five stages of emergency management

paradigm.

156

Major Emergency Plan

A plan prepared by one of the Principal Response Agencies.

Major Emergency

Any event which usually with little or no warning, causes or threatens death or injury,

serious disruption of essential services, or damage to property, the environment or

infrastructure beyond the normal capabilities of the principal emergency services in

the area in which the event occurs, and requiring the activation of specific additional

procedures to ensure effective, co-ordinated response.

Media Centre

A building/area specifically designated for use by the media, and for liaison between

the media and the Principal Response Agencies.

Media Holding Statements

Statements that contain generic information that have been assembled in advance,

along with preliminary incident information that can be released in the early stages of

the emergency.

Mitigation

A part of risk management and includes all actions taken to eliminate or reduce the

risk o people, property and the environment from hazards which threaten them

Mutual Aid

The provision of services and assistance by one organisation to another.

National Emergency Co-ordination Centre

A centre designated for inter-departmental co-ordination purposes.

On – Site Co-ordinator

The person from the lead agency with the role of co-ordinating the activities of all

agencies responding to an emergency.

On-Site Co-ordination Centre

Specific area/facility at the Site Control Point where the On-site Co-ordinator is

located and the On-site Co-ordination group meet.

On-Site Co-ordination Group

Group that includes the On-Site Co-ordinator and the Controllers of Operations of

the other two agencies, an Information Management Officer, a Media Liaison Officer

and others as appropriate.

157

Operational Level

The level at which the management of hands-on work is undertaken at the incident

site(s) or associated areas.

Principal Emergency Services (PES)

The services which respond to normal emergencies in Ireland, namely An Garda

Síochána, the Ambulance Service and the Fire Service.

Principal Response Agencies (PRAs)

The agencies designated by the Government to respond to Major Emergencies i.e.

An Garda Síochána, The HSE and the Local Authorities.

Protocol

A set of standard procedures for carrying out a task or managing a specific situation.

Receiving Hospital

A hospital designated by the HSE to be a principal location to which major

emergency casualties are directed. (24 hour Emergency Department)

Recovery

The process of restoring and rebuilding communities, infrastructure, buildings and

services.

Regional Co-Ordination Centre

A pre-nominated building, typically at regional level, with support arrangements in

place and used by the Regional Co-ordination Group.

Regional Co-Ordination Group

A group of senior representatives of all relevant Principal Response Agencies,

whose function is to facilitate strategic level co-ordination at regional level.

Rendezvous Point (RVP)

The Rendezvous Point is the location to which all resources responding to the

emergency site are directed in the first instance. An Garda Síochána will organise

the Rendezvous Point. Other services may have one of their officers present to

direct responding vehicles into action or to that service’s Holding Area.

Response

The actions taken immediately before, during and/or directly after an emergency.

158

Resilience

The term used to describe the inherent capacity of communities, services and

infrastructure to withstand the consequences of an incident, and to recover/restore

normality.

Rest Centre

Premises where persons evacuated during an emergency are provided with

appropriate welfare and shelter.

Risk

The combination of the likelihood of a hazardous event and its potential impact.

Risk Assessment

A systematic process of identifying and evaluating either qualitatively or

quantitatively, the risk resulting from specific hazards.

Risk Holders

Organisations and companies, which own and/or operate facilities and/or services

where relevant hazards are found, such as Airlines, Chemical Manufacturers etc..

Risk Management

Actions taken to reduce the probability of an event occurring or to mitigate its

consequences.

Risk Matrix

A matrix of likelihood and impact on which the results of a risk assessment are

plotted.

Risk Regulators

Bodies with statutory responsibility for the regulation of activities where there are

associated risks, such as the Health and Safety Authority, the Irish Aviation

Authority, etc.

Scenario

A hypothetical sequence of events usually based on real experiences or on a

projection of the consequences of hazards identified during the risk assessment

process.

159

SEVESO Sites

Industrial sites that, because of the presence of dangerous substances in sufficient

quantities, are regulated under Council Directive 96/82/EC and 2003/105/EC,

commonly referred to as the Seveso II Directive.

Site Casualty Officer

The Member of An Garda Síochána with responsibility for collecting all information

on casualties at the site.

Site Control Point

The place at a major emergency site from which the Controllers of Operations

control, direct and co-ordinate their organisation’s response to the emergency.

Site Medical Officer

The medical officer with overall medical responsibility at the site, who will liaise with

the health service Controller of Operations on all issues related to the treatment of

casualties.

Site Medical Team

A team drawn from a pre-arranged complement of doctors and nurses, with relevant

experience and training, which will be sent to the site, if required.

Site Medical Plan

The arrangement of the elements of a typical major emergency site, matched to the

terrain of the emergency, as determined by the On-Site Co-ordination Group.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Sets if instructions, covering those features of an operation that lend themselves to a

definite or standardised procedure, without loss of effectiveness.

Support Team

A pre-designated group formed to support and assist individuals operating in key

roles, such as On-Site Co-ordinate, Chair of Local Co-ordination Group, etc.

Strategic Level

The level of management that is concerned with the broader and long-term

implications of the emergency and which established the polices and framework

within which decisions at the tactical level are taken.

160

Survivor Reception Centre

Secure location to which survivors, not requiring hospital treatment, can be taken for

shelter, first aid, interview and documentation.

Tactical Level

The level at which the emergency is managed, including issues such as, allocation of

resources, if required, and the planning and co-ordination of ongoing operations.

Temporary Mortuary

A building or vehicle adapted for temporary use as a mortuary in which post mortem

examinations can take place.

Triage

A process of assessing casualties and deciding the priority of their treatment/or

evacuation.

Acronyms

AAIU Air Accident Investigation Unit

CCBRN Conventional Explosive, Chemical, Biological,

Radiological or Nuclear

CMT Crisis Management Team

EOD Explosive Ordnance Disposal

ICG Irish Coast Guard

METHANE Major Emergency Declared

Exact Location of the emergency

Type of Emergency (Transport, Chemical, etc...)

Hazards present and potential

Access/egress routes

Number and Types of Casualties

Emergency Services present and required

161

MOU Memorandum of Understanding

NEPNA National Emergency Plan for Nuclear Accidents

NOTAM Notice to Airmen

PDF Permanent Defence Forces

PES Principal Emergency Services

PRA Principal Response Agency

RVP Rendezvous Point

SAR Search and Rescue

SLA Service Level Agreement

SOP Standard Operating Procedure

VIP Very Important Person

162

Appendix 15.11 West Interagency Media Communications Plan

(Available on Request from HSE West Emergency Management Office)

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